"Isn't it fascinating? The color yellow literally gives me pleasure, just like you do, Kiiro."

***

Black, white, and gray. Those are the first shades that I saw the moment I opened my eyes every morning. No matter where I look around, those shades are the only thing that my eyes can see. My bed, the table beside it, and even the pictures are in black and white. My pajamas were also black and white, as were my slippers. Everything in my room is filled with colors that will never look like yellow in my eyes or reflect it.

I went straight to the bathroom right after I woke up. The tiles were gray, the light is white, as are the soaps. I looked in the mirror, wore my headband, and started washing my face. It was another typical day for a person like me.

After drying my face with a clean towel, I opened the drawer beside my bed and took out my photochromic lenses. These glasses are specially made; while the normal photochromic lenses only turn dark when exposed to sunlight, my glasses turn everything I see black and white. It has the same function as color evaluator glasses, but the only difference is that the lenses of my glasses aren't red and green.

I went downstairs to eat breakfast. My mom and dad were already on the table preparing our breakfast, I bet that mom would just about to call me in my room, but I woke up early.

"Good morning, honey," mom greeted me while dad only looked at me and smiled. It's rare to see them both together. Dad is either on his office or in business trips most of the time, so seeing the two of them is quite a scenery.

"Morning, mom," I replied then sat on the chair facing mom's.

Even our plates and utensils were black and white. But mom and dad's mug are color blue and purple. It doesn't bother me at all, I can look at any color aside from that, but my parents decided to have a monochrome black and white for our entire house just to be sure.

"How are you?" mom asked. Hmm? Are they asking like the typical 'how are you' on a family's table? Or if I am okay knowing that I had recent panic attacks?

"Still fine, mom. Still," I responded and started eating. The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. They are aware, I know. But I also know that they are doing their best to help me get over with it.

After I ate, I stood up in my seat and left a word for my beloved parents. "I said I am still fine, but without the both of you, I guess, I would never know what 'fine' feels like." And that made them smile.

It was 6:00 AM, I took a bath and prepared myself for school. I looked at my closet, only to see my clothes, even these are either black or white, and if there are some with different color, it's always dark and deep. Funny that my school uniform doesn't have that color in it as well.

I am studying in Criston Univeristy, a school owned by the Calzeda family, one of the richest businessmen in the Philippines. My uniform is a white polo for inner, a maroon vest and blazer with the logo of the university on the left side. The cufflinks are silver as well as the buttons of the blazer. It's not like I've took off my glasses to see these colors, I just read it in the students' handbook.

I went out of the room wearing my black backpack and glasses making sure that I will never take a glance of anything with that color.

Pagbaba ko ay nakasalubong ko si mom na papunta palang dapat sa kwarto ko. Napansin ko rin si dad na nakabihis na at mukhang may formal meeting siyang pupuntahan, he's wearing a business tux, after all.

"Hon, ihahatid na kita, I'll just change my clothes, okay?" Bago pa man makalakad si mom paalis ay nagsalita ako.

"No need, mom. I'll take the bus for today," I replied. She stopped and looked at me with a confused face. Maging si dad ay napahinto sa pag-aayos ng necktie niya matapos niyang marinig ag sinabi ko.

"Are you sure, honey? Kaya mo na ba ulit?" nag-aalalang tanong ni mom. Well, I couldn't blame her, because the last time na nag-commute ako, I almost died in the middle of the road by seeing a yellow school bus. Silly me, not wearing his special glasses thinking he could get out without it.

"Yes, don't worry mom. I can handle myself, and besides, the weather today is pretty good," I assured and smiled.

"We are worried, son. But if that will help you to recover, we'll not stop you," dad stated, he walked towards me then tapped my back.

"Basta, if something happened, don't ever hesitate to call us, we'll be there right away." After mom said those words, she gave me a warm hug. I really hate dramas like this, but this is comforting.

"I'll get going," pagpapaalam ko at lumabas ng bahay. Inayos ko ang pagkakasuot ng salamin ko. I never dared to look on my peripheral vision, specifically those areas that is not covered of my lenses.

Haven't I full introduced myself? My bad.

I am Kiiro Misaki, a 16-year-old Japanese guy who grew up in an orphanage. Yes, you saw it right, an orphanage. I am adopted by my parents, Annaliesse, and Christopher Voghill, who's currently looking for a child to adopt seven years ago. Even the people in the orphanage I grew up with, don't know where I came from. They just found me in front of the gate, on a basket, covered with a silk with an embroidered name on it, Kiiro Misaki, as what they've said.

To be honest, that thought is giving me the ick. I believed that alibi for years but now, I couldn't help to feel cringe. I am not in a sort of drama series for Pete's sake!

Ano ako, tagapagmana ng isang mayamang kumpanya? I know something else happened. They just wanted to cover up how incompetent my biological parents are.

As far as I remember, the name of that orphanage is Himawari Home for the Orphans, located at the Kanagawa, a prefecture in Japan or what we call 'province' here in the Philippines.

I can still remember how the people there would take the children to the Zama Sunflower Fields, which is where the name of the orphanage originated.

In Japanese, Himawari means Sunflower and since the sunflower field is near the orphanage, the owner decided to name it Himawari Home for the Orphans.

Kahit lumaki na ako at nagka-isip, I never tried to find my biological parents. Mom and dad offered me some help to find them, but I never dared to, and I never wanted to. Why would I have to find my family if I already have one?

Ever since they adopted me, they never treated me as one. Sobrang pagmamahal ang binigay nila sa akin kaya kahit kailan hindi ko na tatangkain pang hanapin ang totong mga magulang ko. They are the ones who helped me to cope with what happened seven years ago, and I am grateful for that.

Anyways, enough with the drama. I arrived in the bus stop in no time. I waited for a few minutes until the bus arrived. Hindi naman gano'n kalayuan ang Criston University sa bahay naming pero mas pinipili ko na mag-commute dahil nakaka-relax na manood mula sa bintana ng bus, if they are in black and white of course.

Pagdating ko sa school ay naglakad ako papunta sa building namin. May mga estudyante akong nakakasalubong, they are usually in their group of friends.

Some of them know me- hmm well, they really do. Ilang beses ba naman natawag ang pangalan ko noong nakaraang taon sa recognition.

I don't mean to show off but, I am the overall rank two in STEM Strand last year, I also received awards from different competitions that I joined in. I did not expect that as well, given with my condition.

However, I'm glad that my parents already told the professors about the 'special condition' that I am in, although it's just a façade. My parents never told anyone about my true condition, aside from the people they really trust.

Everyone knows that I have this rare condition where my eyes are sensitive with light, that is why they allowed me to wear my glasses. They all believed it, and I studied here along with that mask.

When I arrived at my room- the pilot section of Grade 12 STEM,- everyone has their own world, a typical room for typical students who excel academically. Most of them are studying reviewing for quizzes, taking notes, and some are solving equations in Basic Cal that they are confused about.

They didn't even notice my entrance, aside from her. I always caught her looking at me, with her sharp glance.

Amber Jane Legaspi, last year's overall rank one. I don't know but she seems to have a grudge on me, I guess.

She always stares at me with her stern eyes. I don't remember doing anything against her, and besides, we are not classmates last year.

Is she scared that I might outsmart her this year?

She must not worry, I don't intend to compete with anyone. Studying was just really my cup of tea, and it's one of the way to calm me down. Maybe that's the reason why people label me as an 'academic-freak'.

I don't intend to maintain my rank last year, and I guess that was just pure luck. I don't even know why I became the overall rank 2 in our strand. I am just trying my best to enjoy my school life. I wish I could make it clear to her.

After slightly looking at her, I went straight to my assigned chair, took out my notes and studied for our first subject.