《The Promise of Yuuko Asahino: Volume 3》


 Prologue

    Taking off a shirt is something even a child can do, yet he¡¯s had two separate periods of time in his life where he struggled in removing it. Granted, he preferred the difficulty of being so covered in sweat the fabric stuck to his skin, to the difficulty he had the last two years of his life. Frustrated, he jerked the top of the shirt, pulling on it so hard he sent himself crashing into the lockers.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad I came here alone,¡± he sighed.


    Clawing away from the back this time, his head finally popped into the air as he panted like a man who¡¯d been drowning. It was a simple accident, but he felt embarrassed by it; so much so that he pinched the bridge of his nose before opening his phone to look for a certain picture. Finding it in a folder labeled ¡°One Day,¡± a playful smile stretched across his face as he reminded himself of why he worked up a sweat in the first place.


    Walking to the closest mirror, he compared the man in front of him to the man in the image; his head bobbed up, down, and up again so many times he got dizzy.


    But his smile never faded. In fact, with every comparison it seemed to grow a bit bigger, and his eyes shone just a bit brighter.


    Finally noticing the time, the boy hurriedly tucked his gym clothes into his bag and left the locker room. It had only been about an hour and a half since classes let out, but the weather was already so cool; the sign of an early autumn. The track field before him didn¡¯t have many students, but the few he could see were cooling off from various exercises, some didn¡¯t even look fazed.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that make me kind of pathetic for sweating so much?¡± he smiled to himself.


    He¡¯d barely started walking when he felt someone haul the back of his collar and throw him into the shadow of a nearby building. He hit the dirt with a hard *thud,* but quickly scrambled back to his feet.


    ¡°I¡¯m just going back to my dorm, I don¡¯t want to cause any problems Ryu.¡±


    He knew who it was the moment he hit the ground, but he didn¡¯t expect his bully to be surrounded by his four friends, with him standing at the center.


    ¡°Ho?¡± he said, sounding genuinely surprised. ¡°What, no introduction this time? I thought ¡®Luka Schafer¡¯ always introduces himself because he ¡®commands respect¡¯.¡±


    He cringed at the words, mostly because they were true.


    ¡°Just¡­.call me Theo. I don¡¯t go by Luka anymore.¡±


    ¡°Since when did you decide to quit roleplaying and get some common sense!?¡±


    ¡°I¡­don¡¯t want to cause any issues¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Good, because tomorrow you¡¯re going to transfer out of our class.¡±


    ¡°W-What? Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m getting sick of looking at you everyday; just being in the same room as you ruins my mood!¡±


    ¡°But I haven¡¯t bothered you! We haven¡¯t spoken to each other since Spring semester!¡±


    Ryu threateningly stepped forward. ¡°In the Spring, you wouldn¡¯t have talked back, let alone look me in the eye.¡±


    Ryu clenched his fist as Theo took a hesitant step backward.


    ¡°Just cause you lost some lard, you got an ego now? That it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­I don¡¯t have an ego.¡±


    ¡°When you praise yourself so highly it makes others want to teach you humility!¡±


    He swung at Theo, but he¡¯d anticipated and moved at the last second. Ryu turned around, a wickedly impressed smile on his face.


    ¡°I guess it makes sense with all that fat off you, but you should¡¯ve kept it. It¡¯ll make this hurt a lot less!¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Ryu took another swing, barely missing his cheek; that might¡¯ve given Theo enough time to get in a punch of his own, but he failed to notice Ryu¡¯s second strike until it was too late. The kick to his stomach sent him tumbling backwards, and there was no way he could recover as quickly as before. Ryu was right¡ª it actually did hurt less when he was fat.


    ¡°Get up Theo, we¡¯re not finished.¡±


    Holding his stomach, he propped his free arm against the brick wall for support. For months everything had been going well, so well in fact, he actually hoped Ryu had just gotten bored with him, or had seen his progress and deemed him not worth bullying anymore.


    Now all of a sudden he wants him to change classes, and knowing him, he would find a way to make good on his threat.


    ¡°Choose your battles wisely¡ª¡±


    That¡¯s what he said.


    ¡°¡ªbecause if you fight everything and everyone, you won¡¯t have the strength left to fight for what matters.¡±


    He would tell Theo that this is a fight that matters; he has to stand up for himself, right here and now. Letting go of the wall, he limped for a moment before charging at Ryu.


    He took a wide swing at his head which Ryu dodged by going under, but he¡¯d anticipated that. Using his leg, he aimed his knee right for his head, a clean knockout to end their fight.


    But Ryu was trained, much more than he ever was.


    Using his palms, Ryu caught his knee, yanking it down while pulling himself back up. In an instant their positions had switched, with Theo being forced to bend his other knee after having it struck. He braced himself for the worst, but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Clenching his fist, Ryu punched his stomach so hard he felt himself vomit. Spit flew out of his mouth and his throat failed to make any noise, he couldn¡¯t, there was no air left in his lungs. He collapsed, his blue eyes becoming bloodshot as another strike to his face sent him into the dirt.


    ¡°Consider this a courtesy,¡± said Ryu, walking around his body. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you alone when you transfer, since I won¡¯t have to see you anymore.¡±


    Theo clawed the dirt as Ryu popped his knuckles in preparation for his last punch, meant to knock him out. Before he knew it, however, someone appeared in front of him, holding his fist with one hand while blocking his body from coming any closer to his target.


    Through his anger, he couldn¡¯t help but be impressed as a pair of golden eyes turned to meet his own.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Ryu asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to see what happens.¡± the boy responded. Releasing his arm, he pushed Ryu back just enough to get some distance between.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked the writhing blonde boy.


    Theo gave a nod as the boy crouched down to help him pick himself up from the dirt.


    ¡°What¡­.are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°You were taking a while, so I came to check if everything was alright.¡± he turned to address the leader of the group behind them. ¡°Why start back up again?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s got nothing to do with you.¡± he spat back.


    The boy gave a solemn nod as he turned to his friend, whose color began returning to his face.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to do this?¡±


    Theo knew what he was talking about. And for the first time in his life, he absolutely knew the answer.


    ¡°I want to go through with it.¡±


    His friend studied him, deep golden eyes piercing straight through him.


    ¡°Okay,¡± he responded. ¡°But we¡¯ll have to go somewhere with less people¡­assuming of course, you also want to go through with this.¡±


    ¡°We were already fighting when you decided to interrupt!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± the boy replied calmly. ¡°I¡¯m helping you. Unless you¡¯d rather the students and supervising teacher get a little too close and listen to what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    Ryu grit his teeth as the boy with golden eyes led them out of the shadow and around the field. It was only a short walk, but they soon found themselves in a blind spot behind the entire track, near the fence keeping students inside the premises. They were still technically on the track, but hardly anyone would be able to see them, let alone listen.


    ¡°Can you ask your friends to stand back? This is between you and Theo, and I¡¯d like to ask him something beforehand.¡±


    Ryu smirked as his friends retreated some meters from their leader, and Theo and the boy did the same.


    ¡°You want to ask me something?¡± said Theo with confused blue eyes.


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­to be honest with you, I don¡¯t really know.¡±


    His friend said nothing as he studied him. At first he thought it was strange, but he¡¯s gotten used to the look.


    ¡°Do you know why I¡¯m doing this?¡±


    The boy offered a slightly surprised face, as though he wasn¡¯t expecting the question; it made him smile.


    ¡°I have an idea.¡±


    Theo laughed, ¡°Then tell me later, cause I want to know too.¡±


    With that, he stepped forward, the bruise on his cheek beginning to visibly swell.


    His friend watched from a distance as a girl approached him from behind.


    ¡°Why are you letting him fight a battle you know he¡¯s going to lose?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s not a fight of aggression. This is a fight to understand themselves, each other, and the friendship they had.¡±


    ¡°But fighting? Isn¡¯t that a bit¡­dramatic?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes words aren¡¯t enough, sometimes you can only communicate with your body. It¡¯s rare, but this is one of those times.¡±


    The girl, who wore a green ribbon down the side of her hair, made a worried face as she turned to watch Theo and Ryu taking their place.


    ¡°I¡¯m not who I was in middle school or the start of this year, Ryu! I show you the lessons I¡¯ve learned and the person I¡¯ve become!¡±


    The boy across from him began to smile. ¡°When you quit spouting off that kind of nonsense, then I¡¯ll consider believing you!¡±


    ¡°To change yourself,¡± thought Yuuko. ¡°When you move yourself, you can move others.¡±


    If Theo understands himself¡­I wonder if this also isn¡¯t a fight to prove that.


    If so, Yuuko thought it was a selfish thing to do.


    Though he¡¯s the last person qualified to speak out against selfishness.

 Chapter 1 - Fremdsch?men

    Part 1


    ¡°Hero, the Ephemeral Plane is all but gone! You must lead the people away from here, away from this wretched place!¡±


    ¡°I can not.¡±


    ¡°You can! You are the Shepard, the hero Twelve Beginnings! If it¡¯s you, then our people can survive in the mortal realm from whence you came.¡±


    She gently caressed his face as the world around them fell apart. Galaxies of stars swirled around them, merging with the darkness that began swallowing the planets of the Ephemeral Plane.


    ¡°You misunderstand,¡± he said, removing her touch from his chiseled cheek. ¡°I mean to say that you must lead them, Yume. For you have, and since, walked alongside me ever since the First Beginning. You must keep them all safe should I fail to return. I trust you will.¡±


    He rose to his feet. The vast amounts of energy swirling beneath his feet strengthened his body, filling him with the valor needed to do what¡¯s right.


    ¡°Hero,¡± she said, grasping at his arm. He turned to meet her gaze¡ª blue, knee length hair swirled around her body, emphasizing shimmering pink eyes that radiated the comfort he¡¯d depended on so many times during his journey. ¡°Please, come with me! You did what you could, you have given it everything you have!¡±


    ¡°Not everything.¡± he said. ¡°Not yet.¡±


    He grabbed her arm, pulling her into his embrace. The Plane was quickly fading, but he would never get another chance to tell her how he felt. Not with words, no, but with his strong, sculpted body. He found it a bit odd how, even in a world where color distorted into meaningless blurs, he could still make out the distinct blush of her cheeks that complimented her brilliantly pink eyes.


    As the world began to shatter, he felt the closeness of her breath and the heat of her body. They approached each other, mere millimeters apart, until¡ª


    *DIIIIIIIH DO DO DO ¡ª¡ª¡ª DIIIIIIIH DO DO DO ¡ª¡ª¡ª DIIIIIIIH DO DO DO*


    His eyes shot open as the alarm under his pillow rang out. He slowly reached out, turning it off while staring at the ceiling. After finishing, with equally calm movements, he grabbed the pillow from underneath his head and put it to his face.


    ¡°I CAN¡¯T EVEN GET KISSED IN MY DREEEEAAAAMMMSSAAAAAAAGHHHH!!!¡±


    Had the pillow not been there, he likely would have woken up his new neighbors. Venting his palpable anger into the pillow and ungracefully kicking away the blankets helped him clear his mind, and with clarity, he wasted no time putting on his glasses, grabbing his phone, and immediately writing down everything he could remember.


    Opening the ¡°Dreams¡± folder on his phone, he wrote in the forty-third entry aptly titled ¡°Twelve Beginnings and the End of the Ephemeral Plane (The Yume Sad Route?).¡±


    ¡°Worry not, Yume.¡± he said, closing the entry. ¡°I will never forget you, I promise.¡±


    As he rose to prepare for school, he couldn¡¯t help but think about how Yume was the entire reason he started keeping a dream journal; in fact, if the dream didn¡¯t include her, he rarely bothered writing it down. She was one of the many recurring characters he dreamt of, and being his favorite, he lovingly gave her the name ¡°Yume,¡± after finding out the meaning of the word.


    It wasn¡¯t very creative, but he felt it appropriate.


    Those thoughts, however, came to a crashing halt as the real world shook him out of his fantasy. ¡°No¡­¡± he said, struggling to button his pants. ¡°But¡­ these are new¡­¡±


    It must¡¯ve been a mistake, but the mirror across the room showed him the truth¡ª that his pants wouldn¡¯t go past his thighs. ¡°Of course¡­¡­Yume wouldn¡¯t¡­no one would¡­¡­¡±


    He stood out enough with blonde hair and ice blue eyes, but those features¡­


    He hurriedly searched for a replacement pair while eating his breakfast of eggs and plain toast; eventually finding one suitable to wear, he hurried out the door with his gaze downcast.


    ¡°This wouldn¡¯t happen if¡­¡­¡­¡± he violently shook his head, attempting to laugh while pushing his hair back.


    ¡°Ha! Such is my fate as the Dark Shepherd!¡± he said out loud. ¡°Fate conspires against me, but this is Luka Schafer¡¯s new beginning!¡±


    He closed the door behind him as a thought crossed his mind, which he shouted with revered hope. ¡°This is my First Beginning!¡±


    His feet carried him to class, already knowing the path since he took the liberty of exploring the campus before classes started. The boarding school was enormous, so much so that he still had trouble finding the dormitories, more so when it came to his own room. They were all similar on the outside, with every room on every story being organized in rows. When it came to the inside, Luka couldn¡¯t help but feel it looked like a tiny apartment complex. Despite the size, most students shared a room with one other person, he simply lucked out and got one of the few available single rooms.


    Hmph, as expected of the Dark Hero. He must be isolated for the sake of others, for his knowledge is too great!


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    But still, if I hadn''t gotten that scholarship there¡¯s no way I¡¯d be here.


    A smug smile stretched across his face.


    Hahaha! As expected of the Dark Hero of the Ephemeral Plane! He does the impossible!


    Finding the building for first years was relatively simple since part of its structure was painted blue, the color of the trim on every first year¡¯s blazer. Unlike the dorms, the classrooms were all equally simple to find due to the meticulous organization of the school.


    Finally arriving at his class, he reached for the handle of the door before stopping. Entering while panting like he¡¯d just run a marathon would leave a bad first impression, but he couldn¡¯t help it¡ª the elevator was off limits to students and the stairs had left him sweating worse than a pig.


    He pulled his hand back and reluctantly took a few steps back. Other students were also roaming the halls, looking for their classroom, and he could feel their eyes burn into him as they walked. In the corner of his eye, a pair of girls whispered and laughed suspiciously in his direction before turning around and leaving.


    I¡¯m¡­biding! Yes! I am biding my time, since this is the start of the First Beginning! The normals know not that this Dark Hero must be isolated and rested; if his power is unleashed due to fatigue, catastrophe would surely arrive!


    He smiled to himself, a satisfying explanation.


    After a few minutes, he took a deep breath. Swiftly removing his glasses, he opened the door with all his might, entering the class with his hand covering his eye right.


    ¡°Hearken! Thy normals whom bask in the morning li¡ª¡±


    He immediately stopped talking upon realizing there were only a handful of other students in the classroom, each pausing their conversations to stare at him.


    ¡°A¡ªAhaha! It appears there is not yet a majority, heed my warning whence the time comes for all to listen!¡± he finished his announcement by pushing his hand above his eye, lifting his blonde hair while taking a stance that looked uncomfortably deliberate.


    ¡°Umm¡­do you¡­.need direct¡ª¡± Luka raised his hand to stop him.


    ¡°All shall be revealed in due time; until then, heed the warnings of the Shepherd!¡±


    The student who had asked him a question returned to talking with another two students, and the rest seemed to give him an odd glance before resuming their own activities.


    It¡¯s fine.


    Putting on his glasses again, he found a seat in the middle section of the classroom. He prefered to sit at the very back, either by the window or the door, but they were already occupied. A window seat in the middle row was simply the next best choice.


    Things will definitely change this time!


    *   *   *   *   *


    He¡¯d forgotten about the mandatory orientation the school had on its first day, now it made sense as to why there were so few students inside the classroom in the morning. Compared to then, the class now was brimming with students, though still managing to be a reasonably normal sized class. As students returned to their seats, the bell signalling the first homeroom class of the new semester rang out, and their teacher walked in.


    She¡¯s¡­truly, her ancestors must have had great blessings bestowed upon them.


    It was mostly the male students that made cheers of excitement and audible gasps¡ª he was no exception. Their teacher was a woman who looked to be in her late twenties, early thirties at the very latest.


    ¡°Hello everyone!¡± she said, winking and saluting with her fingers. ¡°Last name Wakako, first name Miyami! I¡¯ll be your homeroom teacher this year¡ª looking forward to teaching you all!¡±


    The woman in front of them was absolutely beautiful. Light brown hair hung loose, reaching her mid-back, emphasizing her expressive yet soft facial features. A small mole next to her left eye seemed to bring out the fact they were dark grey in color.


    The students, understandably, got riled up. Luka was sure he heard someone ask if he could marry her, to which she promptly made an ¡°x¡± symbol with her fingers replying, ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t date high school brats.¡± Needless to say, there was audible disappointment from the male students.


    Hmph. Though you are blessed, Yume is infinitely better than you¡ª mortal woman!


    Settling everyone down, Miss Wakako began roll call.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start things right! When I call your name, stand up and tell the class something about yourself!¡± A mixture of panic and excitement spread through Luka as she began. ¡°Let¡¯s see, first is¡­¡­ohhh what a pretty name! Is Miss ¡®Yuuko Asahino¡¯ here?¡±


    Silence filled the classroom, and like the other students, he began looking around when an answer failed to arrive. He noticed two empty seats¡ª one in the middle column near the front of the chalkboard, and one to the far right end of the class, exactly on the opposite side of him.


    ¡°Absent on the first day?¡± she said, clicking her tongue.


    She continued reading despite her disappointment, but Luka paid no attention.


    This is the First Beginning, I need to show everyone¡ª but no! Wait, wait, what if instead¡­¡­ahhh that¡¯s no good either!


    ¡°Ohh we have a student of foreign heritage! Mr¡­Sha-Sche¡­¡­Scha¡ªum, T-Theo¡ª¡±


    Now! Now¡¯s my chance!


    ¡°Finish not that name, woman!¡± he said, standing up. The desk and chair made a horrible screeching sound as they peeled across the tile, twisting the students¡¯ faces into dissatisfied gramces. His teacher, however, gave an uncomfortable smile as she continued.


    ¡°Right, sorry about that,¡± she laughed. ¡°Pronunciation always trips me up, and it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve practiced English.¡±


    ¡°Worry not, for I, the Dark Hero, forgive you for your mistake!¡±


    ¡°The¡­the dark¡­what?¡±


    Students around the classroom contorted their faces, as if physically pained by the phrase he just said.


    ¡°What did you just do!?¡±


    I introduced myself!


    ¡°Idiot! You absolute retard! Hurry and salvage the situation!¡±


    ¡°So..so your name is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Indeed madam! I have gone by many titles in my life¡ª The Dark Hero of the Ephemeral Plane, He Who Dwells in the Horizon Beyond, The Dark Shepherd! Yes, all of these are names for the one who stands before you! However I implore you, as well as all others in this abode, call me by my sealed name¡ª ¡®Luka¡¯!¡±


    Some students sat in silence, others began speaking to the person next to them in confusion. Miss Wakako was no exception as she, in a loss for words, looked to Luka, then her clipboard, and back again.


    ¡°Umm¡­.you¡¯d like to be called ¡®Luka¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Preference is unimportant, instructor! For what actually matters is¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hey hero!¡± a voice barked. ¡°I think you¡¯re lost, the middle school is in the next town over!¡±


    It was a familiar voice that made the joke, but the students that immediately burst into rambunctious laughter kept him from identifying it. It didn¡¯t help that a few of the more well-behaved ones tried to keep themselves from doing the same.


    ¡°Mayhaps my ears deceive me? Who said that jus¡ª¡±


    ¡°Me,¡± said a student taking a relaxed pose. Luka turned his eyes and froze, though he looked different, there was no mistaking that person.


    His uniform was disheveled, as though he forgot school was today and threw it on last minute; his hair didn¡¯t look much better. Half his bed head was tied in a small but lazy ponytail, while the other half hung lazily in front of his eyes.


    His eyes.


    Sharp. Piercing. Intimidating¡­¡­¡­locked right onto Luka.


    He genuinely hoped to never see that look again.


    ¡°R-Ry¡ª¡±


    ¡°Do everyone a favor¡ª sit down and shut up for the rest of the year. Actually, don¡¯t sit by the window. You may like it dark, but the rest of us don¡¯t!¡±


    It got progressively more difficult for the students to stop laughing, but Luka wasn¡¯t paying attention to them.


    How¡­


    He thought.


    How...did I miss him? Why didn¡¯t I see him- why is he here¡ª how is he here in this school and in this class?!


    ¡°Wait a second, you there,¡± Miss Wakako said to the student speaking out. ¡°I won¡¯t tolerate disruptions in my classroom, this is the first and final time I¡¯ll tell you.¡±


    ¡°Tch, you should be thanking me¡ª I shut that sack of lard up for you¡±


    ¡°And you are?¡±


    ¡°Ryu Hideki,¡± he said, not bothering to stand up from the relaxed pose he¡¯d been maintaining. ¡°As for something about me, I¡¯m here on a sports scholarship.¡±


    Small gasps of admiration and silent clapping were the only things that could be heard from the classroom, though it quickly died as Miss Wakako began speaking.


    ¡°While I commend you on receiving that, I¡¯ll reiterate my point. I will not tolerate disruptions, and I expect everyone to show respect in this classroom.¡±


    ¡°I thought that was the ¡®first and final time¡¯ you were going to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± she said, clutching her clipboard while narrowing her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re one of those types huh? If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware that scholarships can be rescinded.¡±


    Ryu¡¯s confident grin turned sour as he fixed his posture, making another *tch* sound and looking away.


    Miyami Wakako sighed as she addressed the rest of the class.


    ¡°Since most of you are here on some form of a scholarship, let this be a warning. Stepping severely out of line will cost you your place at this school, so think carefully about what you do and what you say¡ª¡± she added a final sentence while staring at Luka and Ryu. ¡°¡ªas well as who you say it to.¡±


    Part 2


    For such a rough beginning, the rest of the day went surprisingly well. All the other student introductions were made, class proceeded as normal, and the bell signalling the end of the day arrived. Luka remained in his seat, eyeing Ryu from the other end of the room until he left, which thankfully didn¡¯t take long.


    I thought it would finally be over by now¡­.


    ¡°Haaaah,¡± he sighed, regaining his composure. ¡°I shall alleviate myself of these feelings by partaking in ritual consumption. Today, it shall be udon.¡±


    Grabbing his school bag, he made his way through the front doors of the building. The Spring afternoon was neither too hot nor too cold; he considered removing his blazer, but the slight wind chill suggested otherwise.


    Now that I think about it, I don¡¯t even know what restaurants are around here.


    He smiled.


    Does my heart deceive me? A venture into the concrete jungle, yonder this academy, in search of sustenance? Truly this is a joyous task I shall gladly underta¡ª


    He stopped when he saw the person in front of him. Or rather, when he saw the group in front of him, led by the person he¡¯d least hope to see.


    ¡°R-Ryu¡­¡± he said, eyeing the various stones on the ground. ¡°W-What brings you before¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± he said, indifferent. The two boys on either side of him snickered, and both looked equally sinister doing so. Though he was eyeing the ground, Luka caught a brief glimpse of them; one had a slight droop to his mouth, while the other was tall with an extremely sharp jawline.


    He was probably popular back in middle school, like Ryu¡­


    ¡°Come with me,¡± said the boy in question. With those words, he turned around and began walking down an isolated path on the school grounds, a little ways from the dormitories. As they walked, Luka noticed Ryu didn¡¯t bother turning around to check if he was actually following, though he didn¡¯t need to. Both his friends had taken up position behind Luka, silently dissuading any attempts to escape.


    And escape was the only thing on his mind.


    Calm down, calm down! You¡¯re in high school now, this is your First Beginning! There has to be something¡­something¡ª! Cameras! There are probably cameras around!


    He looked around, and sure enough, was relieved upon seeing small black spheres protruding from the sides of the building they approached. It was short lived, however, when he noticed Ryu waiting under what looked like a giant concrete shelf sticking out of the middle of the building¡­. a balcony of some kind?


    What architect designs buildings so strangely!


    Of course, it wasn¡¯t a completely hidden spot. It was true that the cameras above them couldn¡¯t spot them under the balcony, but there was still the possibility someone could see them.


    ¡­¡­someone from outside the boundary¡­


    A few meters next to them was a waist-high concrete wall marking the end of school property. That is its only function, and yet being neither hazardous nor particularly intimidating, the school remains a haven. The reason why is simple¡ª the school¡¯s reputation is what safeguards it, and anyone that isn¡¯t a student attempting to cross it would be caught by the cameras and hunted like a dog afterward.


    ¡°See, it doesn''t matter if someone out there sees us. Do you want to know why?¡±


    Ryu spoke those words, as if reading his thoughts. He tried answering, but the only thing that left his throat was a mix of a low-pitched squeal and garbled words.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Ryu¡¯s frown worsened. ¡°Because this school is ours, this campus belongs to the students and no one but the students. Anyone comes here¡ª they get torn to shreds!¡± he said, shoving Luka into the wall. The crash made him lose balance, causing him to trip over his own feet.


    Ryu stared in disgust as Luka struggled to stand up again, panting as he used the wall for support.


    ¡°Why the hell are you here?¡±


    ¡°He¡ªheheh, of course you¡­are confused about seeing me. However let us refrain from using violence, otherwise my seals will surely¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Ryu lunged forward, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against the wall. ¡°Enough of your disgusting chuunibyou talk, and enough of your backwards logic! None of us ever talked about where we¡¯d go to high school, so I want to know why you¡¯re here!¡±


    As he spoke, Luka grabbed the cuffs of his blazer in an attempt to loosen the force, but it was no use. The sharpness of his eyes became more detailed as he tried to focus on saying something.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t¡­¡­talked¡­since then¡­why are you¡­.after me?¡±


    ¡°Because,¡± Ryu said in an ever increasing shout. ¡°I thought I¡¯d finally seen the last of you, yet here you are infecting everyone with your disgusting personality!¡±


    Yanking him from the wall, he used all his strength to shove him away¡ª not with the grip he had on his collar, but through a punch delivered right to the middle of his chest.


    Luka felt his glasses fly away from his face as his eyes nearly popped out of his sockets after being sent to the ground.


    ¡°You¡¯re a fat, disgusting slob and a sorry excuse for a human being,¡± he seethed through clenched teeth. ¡°You speak like a child, are a nuisance to the people around you, and I can smell you from halfway across class¡ª of course I want you gone!¡±


    On the floor, he did his best to crawl away from the approaching threat, but it was no use. The adrenaline coursing through his veins only made everything more blurry as he focused in on everything around him. The snickers of the two boys, the boy with spiky hair in a ponytail approaching him, and strangest of all¡ª


    ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    ¡ªthe soothing voice of a female.


    Quickly searching the ground, he managed to feel the tips of plastic frames and hurriedly put them to his face. He, along with the three others, were staring at a young girl looking in their direction. A teal colored ribbon flowed down the left side of her ebony, waist-length hair; it complimented the pale tone of her skin, but what Luka thought was most astounding were her eyes.


    He¡¯d never seen a green as bright, vivid, and iridescent as the one coloring them.


    Ryu was the first to snap out of his trance. ¡°You¡¯re wearing our uniform¡ª what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Well, I happened to be walking by and¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªnoticed me and wanted my number?¡± said the boy with a slightly crooked mouth. The girl¡¯s expression went from neutral to¡­¡­¡­a smile.


    Still neutral but¡­¡­there was a different shade to it.


    The boy apparently didn¡¯t notice as he approached her with confident strides as Ryu scoffed and his friend began laughing.


    ¡°It¡¯s only natural, so I don¡¯t blame you.¡± he walked around her as he spoke, while she continued staring straight ahead. ¡°You want me to give you a tour of campus? You¡¯re wearing blue trim, so you must be a first year too, and we all gotta stick together right?¡±


    He moved to put his arm around her, and Luka immediately noticed the smile that grew on her face. The screams of pain emanating from the boy only registered after.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t touch me with that filthy hand of yours.¡± she smiled with closed eyes. Following her arm with his eyes, Luka saw a crooked finger in her grip, and his face contorted in pain at seeing the angle at which it was bent. The boy collapsed onto the ground as she let go, sobbing in pain. Yet she paid him no mind¡ª instead, focusing on wiping her hand against the hem of her skirt.


    ¡°What the hell!?¡±


    ¡°What did you just do to him?!¡±


    Both Ryu and his friend marched towards the girl who began wagging her finger in a ¡°no¡± motion.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t if I were you.¡± She said, pointing to the black spheres on the side of the building. ¡°If you haven¡¯t noticed, I¡¯m not underneath your balcony nor do I have the intention of moving closer.¡±


    Ryu froze in his tracks as he twisted his body to look up. He¡¯d been in such a rush that he didn¡¯t consider the fact he was in full view of the cameras.


    He opened his mouth, but she spoke before he could form words. ¡°If you wish to fight me, go ahead. I doubt the administration will find your reason for hitting me as justifiable as a boy placing his hands on a girl he doesn''t know.¡±


    Ryu looked at the sphere once more as his friend with a strong jaw bent down to pick up the sobbing boy.


    ¡°Ryu, what are you waiting for!? Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Gritting his teeth, he reluctantly followed behind his friends before turning around.


    ¡°I won¡¯t forget this, Luka. Watch yourself.¡± Emphasizing the venom in the name, he retreated. And just like that, Luka and the unknown girl were left to themselves.


    Both watched the group until they were no longer in sight, but Luka wasn¡¯t calm in the slightest. Anxious breathing filled his lungs as the girl approached him.


    ¡°Are you okay Luka?¡±


    He had an extremely difficult time responding, and tried to distract himself by focusing on her face since he could get a better look at her now. It was true that her eyes were a startling shade of turquoise green that matched her ribbon, but he never noticed the small braid on the back of her hair, going from one ear to the other. It was barely noticeable, but he managed to spot it as she looked towards the group, before she approached.


    Her nose was small, but sharp¡ª similar to her cheeks. That wasn¡¯t to mention the pale skin that somehow glowed under the midday sun, nor her voice that was light as velvet, yet somehow managing to carry a deeper weight. A motherly one?


    Sh¡ªShe¡¯s way too pretty! She needs to be nerfed!


    ¡°Um¡­Luka?¡±


    She bent her upper body to look at the face he¡¯d hidden away.


    W-When did I stop looking her in the eye?! Did I even look her in the eye in the first place!?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I got your name wrong, I heard him call you that so I figured¡­¡±


    ¡°hAh-hAHAHA! Indeed, you heard correctly! T-The name is Luka!¡±


    ¡°Ahh, so it is.¡± she politely smiled. ¡°At any rate, are you hurt? That guy didn¡¯t seem like he held back.¡±


    ¡°I understand your concern madam, but fret not! I am uninjured!¡± he held up his arm toward her for emphasis, doing his best to hide the pain as he continued forming various poses. ¡°I would have fought back¡ª but alas! If I ever lose control, death would befall all who stood in my way!¡±


    ¡°Ohhhh, death huh?¡±


    ¡°Indeed! See, I¡¯m actually quite the fighter! I could have taken on all three of them had the situation been truly desperate!¡±


    ¡°I see I see.¡± She said, putting a finger to her lip. ¡°You must¡¯ve been in a lot of fights in the past in that case; probably something like a decade¡¯s worth of practice.¡±


    ¡°You have quite the insight madam, but nay! I, The Dark Shepherd, attained this level in a mere¡­mere¡­¡­ah! Two years!¡±


    ¡°Dark Shepherd?¡­¡­Two years¡­¡± she spoke, though he suspected it wasn¡¯t directed at him. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder about what she was thinking, standing there, looking at the clouds. He didn¡¯t ponder for long, however, as she offered another polite smile while bringing her fingers together. ¡°Luka, would you like to come with me? There¡¯s someone I think you would enjoy speaking with.¡±


    ¡°G-Go with you!?¡±


    The statement caught him completely off guard.


    ¡°Wait, like, back to y-your dorm room? Is¡­that allowed?¡±


    ¡°Of sorts, and in a way,¡± she smiled.


    ¡°I-I would¡ªI mean I wouldn¡¯t really, with the talking I guess but if you¡ª not that you¡¯re insisting, or no! I mean me insisting it was you, you know just that¡ª!¡±


    Puffs of air like small laughs escaped the girl¡¯s throat.


    ¡°I understand. I won¡¯t force you, but if you¡¯d like to accept then follow me.¡±


    She didn¡¯t wait for a response before heading in the direction of the main gate. He stood there for a few long seconds, contemplating what had just happened.


    None of it seemed real.


    One second he was being attacked by a person he thought he¡¯d never see again, and the next, a beautiful girl saved him and was now inviting him¡ª him¡ª HIM, back to her dorm room. He felt like it was some kind of¡­false reality.


    And a small voice in the back of his conscious spoke.


    Remember¡ª First. Beginning.


    He followed her through the gates of the school¡¯s campus, encouraged by those words.


    Unbeknownst to them both, however, the scenery they left behind rustled with quiet activity. The culprit crawled away from the bushes that hid her, nervously looking at her camera before fading into the background once more.


    *   *   *   *   *


    As Luka and the girl walked around the city, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how everything felt so modern¡ª thanks in large part to the school.


    Prestige brings reputation, and reputation must be upheld at any cost¡ª mainly money. Unlike other provinces that built their schools in accordance to the region, the school had such influence on the city around them that it was remodeled to reflect the modern and cutting edge reputation it commanded.


    Luka had read about its background before applying; after the school was established some thirty years ago, whole blocks were demolished and built again to reflect an environment worthy of the school. Even now, office buildings were constantly remodeled by the school¡¯s alumni, so other alumni working in those offices could feel the luxury of steel, glass, ceramic, and other materials the alumni architects found worthy to use.


    Alumni managed the restaurants around town, the hotels, nearly every facet of every business had some connection to the school. Of course, ¡°normal¡± residents were far, far more in number than the graduates of the school. Truth be told, other than the prominent positions being held by alumni, and the modern architecture and aesthetic, it was a relatively normal city.


    And that was all thanks to the establishing company; how ironic that a school had been its very first business venture.


    ¡°Fable sure is amazing.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? The company?¡±


    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡­ forgive me. I spoke my thoughts aloud.¡± he turned his attention back to the intersection displaying the white ¡°walk¡± symbol. Passing through the heart of the city, it was hard not to lose track of the girl, but every time he fell behind, she¡¯d wait patiently for him to catch up.


    She looks and acts like a model; this girl seriously needs to be nerfed.


    What felt suspicious to him through the entirety of their walk was how the girl claimed her dorm was ahead. As far as Luka knew, all students resided on campus, dormage anywhere else wasn¡¯t allowed.


    ¡°So Luka, when did you arrive in Japan?¡±


    ¡°When¡­when hath¡­.?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not often you see a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. And, while they call it a boarding school, there aren¡¯t many foreigners.¡± she curled a finger over her mouth. ¡°I think I read it was something like ninety-eight percent of the student body is native Japanese, the last two percent come from Asia or Europe.¡±


    ¡°Ahh¡­that¡¯s true.¡± He considered it only at surface level, but the girl had green eyes. He straightened himself, finally looking at the girl walking alongside the street. ¡°From where¡­is your pedigree? Northern, mayhaps?¡±


    ¡°My mom is Scandinavian, but my dad is Japanese.¡± she replied.


    ¡°I¡­¡­see.¡±


    ¡°Luka are you okay? You¡¯ve been breathing kind of¡­¡­heavy¡­¡­for a while now. ¡±


    ¡°This form¡­can only contain so much¡­.aaahh¡­are we close?¡±


    ¡°As a matter of fact, we¡¯ve just arrived.¡±


    Rounding one final intersection, Luka could see what she was talking about up ahead. It was a two-story apartment¡ªa small, quaint residence.


    ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll go inside.¡±


    With those words, the dream-like situation broke, and reality hit him like a punch to the face.


    Oh no.


    And every vein in his body filled with adrenaline.


    No no no no, I¡¯m not ready yet! I-I don¡¯t know how to please a woman!


    ¡°Idiot!¡± replied a different voice in his head. ¡°You¡¯re so beneath her it can¡¯t even be considered a joke. Relax, she doesn''t want anything with you.¡±


    We are LITERALLY at the doorstep of her apartment! How does a student even get an apartment?!


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s an APARTMENT, not a hotel.¡±


    The same thing happens at either location!


    ¡°Yeah, and what? Are you going to take off your shirt? Maybe show her all those folds you¡¯ve worked hard on? Go ahead, I¡¯m sure that¡¯ll arouse her.¡±


    ¡­¡­I¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°For the love of¡ª just shut up for once! We both know I¡¯m right, remember this morning?¡±


    The sudden thought snapped him back to the present.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to be that harsh¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Aah, I¡¯m terribly sorry Luka, I didn¡¯t hear you. Please give me a moment to find the key¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡­¡­yeah go ahead.¡±


    It was difficult to hide the quiver in his voice.


    Producing a silver key from her school bag, she walked in front of the middle door on the ground floor and inserted it, swiftly swinging it open.


    Before the door opened, Luka thought her a kind-hearted, polite, somewhat reserved girl. That impression still held true after opening it, but he felt the air around her change. It became¡­ charged. Like everything about her got amplified by three.


    ¡°Honey~! I¡¯m home!¡±


    Or rather, it was like she was finally showing her true self.


    ¡°You¡¯re back already? That was fast.¡±


    ¡°Ohh, no need to be shy¡ªif you missed me so much just go ahead and say so~!¡±


    She was teasing, but the palms on the sides of her smiling face gave off a different impression. And her body¡ª could girls really move their bodies in squiggles like that?


    He followed her lead, removing his shoes as the person she spoke to came into view.


    ¡°You were gone for ten minutes,¡± he sighed. ¡°I didn¡¯t even have time to¡ªoh. Hello.¡±


    A guy. It¡¯s a guy.


    ¡°I told you didn¡¯t I? She wasn¡¯t interested.¡±


    ¡­¡­I knew that before you did.


    ¡°Apparently not.¡±


    The boy in front of them scratched the back of his head. ¡°You should¡¯ve told me you were bringing someone, I only made enough for two.¡±


    ¡°You say that as if we can¡¯t share!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s an issue of sharing.¡± he said defeatedly.


    ¡°U-Umm¡­I¡¯ll¡­¡­it¡¯s no problem I¡¯ll go¡ª¡±


    ¡°No need,¡± the boy smiled. ¡°I brought extra ingredients. Why don¡¯t you come in and wait a bit, it shouldn''t take long to ready an extra plate.¡±


    ¡°Besides,¡± said the girl, walking to the boy¡¯s side. ¡°You never answered my question about how long you¡¯ve been in the country for.¡±


    I¡­I just want to leave¡­¡­


    ¡°Then leave.¡±


    How?


    ¡°By saying excusing yourself politely, retard.¡±


    He scoffed at the internal conversation.


    ¡°Umm¡­¡­Thank you, but I¡ª¡±


    *GRRRRWWWWWLLL*


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡ªthe smell of cooking hit his nose.


    ¡°Wow. You can¡¯t even turn down an invitation properly.¡±


    IN MY DEFENSE I WAS GOING TO GET UDON BEFORE BEING ASSAULTED, REMEMBER?


    ¡°Honest,¡± encouraged the boy. ¡°It won¡¯t take long.¡±


    Part 3


    Are they dating?


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re totally dating.¡±


    But he¡¯s not¡­¡­ acting like it¡­


    ¡°No, that¡¯s just what you¡¯re HOPING for; deep down you know they are. That¡¯s why you have me tell you.¡±


    Under normal circumstances, Luka would agree¡ªbut the situation he found himself in was anything but normal. True, he felt disappointed in learning that a guy was joining them, but part of him couldn¡¯t hold that resentment even if he wanted to.


    And for the life of him, he couldn¡¯t understand why.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± he said, passing him a bowl of oyakodon. ¡°Sorry it¡¯s missing a few ingredients, I really thought I had everything.¡±


    ¡°N-No, this is!¡­¡­adequate! You, ummm¡­¡­have my thanks¡­¡±


    He took a seat by the girl who raised her head while unclasping her hands. A finished prayer?


    ¡°So Luka,¡± said the boy, passing him a cup of tea. ¡°You¡¯re a first year too?¡±


    The hot beverage caught in his throat at those words. It was nothing strange to ask in and of itself, but¡ª


    ¡°¡ªw-what a coincidence! I was going to ask you the same question¡­¡­!¡±


    The boy gave a simple nod while the girl next to him replied. ¡°The school assigns uniforms based on year, right? First year blazers have blue trim, second year¡¯s have red, and third green.¡±


    She motioned to the blue trim they all shared and smiled. ¡°It looks like we¡¯re all new!¡±


    ¡°Aah, that¡¯s true!¡± he said excitedly. ¡°Then, what rooms are you both assigned to? I¡¯m in Class One-Four!¡±


    ¡°Hah! It¡¯s a good thing I checked before arriving at the school, otherwise I wouldn¡¯t have the slightest idea!¡±


    Luka looked at her with a puzzled expression. ¡°You mean¡­¡­you weren¡¯t in class today, or¡­?¡±


    ¡°We¡­¡­got sidetracked.¡± responded the boy.


    ¡°Side¡­tracked?¡±


    I don¡¯t like where this is going! Is this going where I think it¡¯s going? It is¡ª isn¡¯t it!?


    ¡°You should¡¯ve seen it, Luka!¡± the girl exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her body. ¡°We failed to arrive on our first day because this man just couldn¡¯t contain himself!¡±


    I KNEW IT!


    ¡°Yui,¡± the boy said, calmly drinking his tea. ¡°You¡¯re going to cause misunderstandings.¡±


    ¡°Oh, but it¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it?!¡± she said, beginning to squirm. ¡°You were so forceful, pushing me down, being on top of me¡ª even though a child was watching!¡±


    ¡°A child!?¡±


    ¡°A little girl.¡± clarified the boy, still drinking tea.


    ¡°That doesn''t make it better!¡±


    ¡°Aah, but, truth be told,¡± she said, putting a hand to her scarlet red cheek. ¡°I didn¡¯t dislike it¡­¡±


    His head was spinning and he was fairly certain the lightheadedness was the result of shock.


    ¡°T-Then¡­are¡­¡­does that mean¡­umm, are ah, are you two¡­d-da-¡±


    He froze mid-sentence for a very simple reason.


    ¡°Yui¡­¡­is that your name?¡±


    The girl, too, stopped her squirming mid-wiggle. Her blush slowly disappeared, becoming replaced with a serious, but friendly, smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit informal, but please feel free to call me that!¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡­I¡¯m sorry I never asked¡­¡±


    ¡°Aah not at all, please don¡¯t feel bad about something like that!¡±


    ¡°Speaking of,¡± the boy inquired. ¡°What¡¯s your surname, Luka?¡±


    The boy¡¯s expression seemed to turn somewhat more positive given the girl¡¯s forgiveness and the change of topic.


    ¡°Schafer! Ah, but, feel free to call me Luka!¡±


    ¡°Schafer¡­Schafer¡­¡­¡­that means ¡®shepherd¡¯ doesn''t it? And Luka means ¡®light,¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Giyh¡ª!¡±


    I know she¡¯s half foreign, but how does she know?!


    ¡°Er, y-yes it does¡­¡±


    ¡°So shouldn¡¯t you be the ¡®Light Shepherd¡¯ instead of the ¡®Dark Shepherd¡¯ you said earlier?¡±


    ¡°What? No no, that¡¯s¡­I¡ª!¡±


    No no no no! Just when everything was going so well! I need to come up with something!


    Something to make it normal!


    Anything!


    ¡°Oh, ¡®Dark Shepherd.¡¯ Is that a nickname?¡±


    He looked up from his panic driven state, quickly composing himself. ¡°Ah-Ahaha! I-It is, of sorts!¡±


    ¡°Did the students in One-Four give it to you?¡± asked the boy. ¡°Maybe someone else understood the meaning of your name.¡±


    ¡°Hah, I¡­¡­doubt that.¡±


    Luka began speaking to the wooden boards beneath him.


    ¡°Fate is¡­unkind. I am looking forward to the year, but the scales of fate balanced by pitting me against many adversaries.¡±


    The silence in the room wasn¡¯t uncomfortable, so much as heavy. Yui, however, had no trouble adding to the weight.


    ¡°Is that delinquent in Class One-Four?¡±


    ¡°Huh? A delinquent?¡±


    Luka jerked his head up, quick to rebuttal their comments.


    ¡°N-Nonsense, I¡¯m fine, totally fine! Even then, as you saw yourself madam, I can totally take care of myself! If those guys were really asking for it, it¡¯s nothing I¡¯m not able to hand¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªah!¡± A sudden outburst escaped Yui¡¯s lips, interrupting his speech.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked the girl. Confirming she was uninjured, he continued. ¡°Thankfully it¡¯s not much; head to the bathroom before that tea leaves a stain.¡±


    ¡°Fuaah,¡± she sighed. ¡°How unfortunate. If you¡¯ll both please excuse me.¡±


    With that, the girl rose and excused herself. She was out of sight soon enough, but the conversation didn¡¯t immediately begin again. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but Luka felt like a burden all of a sudden.


    Maybe¡­she just wanted to leave.


    ¡°Can¡¯t think of many people that¡¯d enjoy a conversation with you.¡±


    ¡°You were saying it was nothing you can¡¯t handle?¡±


    He raised his head in response.


    Then why¡­¡­does he seem interested in continuing?


    He opened his mouth to respond, but the words weren¡¯t right. His speech was stuck in his head, and instead, words he didn¡¯t mean to say escaped.


    ¡°Sorry, I should go.¡±


    That¡¯s a shame, I was actually beginning to feel¡­


    ¡°Comfortable?¡±


    Maybe. Either way, I¡ª


    ¡°¡ªLuka, you don¡¯t need to.¡±


    Those words shocked him back into the present, forcing him to pay attention to the boy sitting across from him.


    ¡°I can tell you¡¯ve got a lot on your mind, and if you don¡¯t mind someone like me, you can tell me what¡¯s going on with this delinquent. Is he giving you trouble?¡±


    He¡¯d already readied his bag to leave, and was nearly standing but¡­


    ¡°Still comfortable?¡±


    He sighed as he sat back down. He didn¡¯t know why he started talking, or better put, why he could speak so clearly all of a sudden.


    ¡°Ryu¡­¡­was my only friend until last year¡­until he started messing with me. He said this wasn¡¯t a video game or manga; that I should take a good look at myself. I thought by going here I¡¯d be able to get a fresh start, a sort of ¡®first beginning¡¯ but¡­¡­¡±


    His sudden ability to speak his mind clearly faded. And though he never looked the boy across the room in the eye, he swore he could listen to the sound of his mind looking for a response.


    ¡°Have you?¡±


    ¡°Have I what?¡±


    ¡°Taken a good look at yourself. What do you think?¡±


    He touched the inside of his palms as she spoke.


    ¡°Of course I have¡­¡­and he¡¯s right. I mean, look. Nobody¡­nobody would¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Yourself included?¡±


    ¡°Myself?¡­¡­I¡­I¡¯m not sure I follow.¡±


    He raised his head, and was surprised by the look of the boy. Those eyes were just as bright as the girl¡¯s. In a way, they reminded him of¡ª


    ¡°Tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°What..?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, no you¡¯re right¡ª tomorrow is a bit of an abrupt start. Let¡¯s just talk about it tomorrow then, and we¡¯ll see if you¡¯re up for it.¡±


    And with those words he began picking up the dishes on the table, carrying them to the sink and washing them.


    ¡°Umm, h-hey I¡¯m not sure if I understand what you just said.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk more about it tomorrow. You seem like you¡¯ve more to say, but don¡¯t know how to say it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª!¡±


    Completely accurate.


    ¡°R-Right then¡­¡­I, umm¡­¡­¡­thanks. I appreciate you listening to me.¡±


    ¡°Anytime.¡±


    ¡°So, uh, I never asked for your name.¡±


    He briefly glanced over from washing dishes, flashing a small smile.


    ¡°You can ask now.¡±


    Luka couldn¡¯t help but give a small laugh, it was a clever response.


    ¡°I¡¯m Luka, so what should I call you?¡±


    ¡°My name¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªI managed to get the stain out!¡± said the girl, showing them a small dark circle on the edge of her sleeve cuff.


    ¡°You always do.¡± he smiled.


    ¡°Hey! Why are you washing the dishes? You made the meal, at least let me handle this much!¡±


    ¡°Yui, it¡¯s really no big deal.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense, that¡¯s¡ª! H-Hey, don¡¯t hold it so high, I can¡¯t reach!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s kind of the point.¡±


    ¡°Yuu, stop teasing me when others are watching! Do it when we¡¯re alone so I can enjoy myself properly!¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who brought up a misunderstanding?¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she huffed. Grabbing a towel, she stood to his side. ¡°In that case I¡¯ll dry them and put them away.¡±


    ¡°You really don¡¯t need t¡ª¡±


    ¡° Luka, sorry but could you wait for just a few minutes? I need to finish this.¡±


    ¡°Y-Yeah¡­I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    What¡¯s this sudden feeling I have of lacking accountability?


    He said that while tugging at his chest, but more importantly he focused on the important piece of information he heard.


    ¡°Yuu¡­and Yui.¡± he whispered.


    Part 4


    Luka sat by the window, counting the clouds in the sky. He didn¡¯t actually enjoy doing so, since he thought it incredibly boring, but it¡¯s always what the main characters who sit by windows do, so he thought he¡¯d try it as well.


    His concentration was broken by the sound of homeroom starting.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see no one¡¯s run away yet,¡± Miss Wakako said, taking attendance. ¡°That means we¡¯ll have a full house today.¡±


    ¡°Sensei, what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I mean this,¡± she gestured to the door. ¡°The two of you, come on inside.¡±


    Luka¡¯s eyes went wide for a reason very different from that of his classmates.


    Two students, a boy and a girl, entered the room¡ª the same two he met yesterday.


    ¡°As you both failed to arrive yesterday, tell us your name and one thing about yourself. Of course, ladies first,¡± she said, gesturing towards the girl. ¡°Miss Asahino, you can start anytime.¡±

 Chapter 2 - Lost and Found

    Part 1


    Even if he spent the entirety of last Spring running for the sake of getting in shape, what use is it if nearly all his stamina depletes by the next year?


    ¡°You know,¡± he said panting as they waited for the walk signal. ¡°This wouldn¡¯t have happened if you hadn¡¯t refused to wake me.¡±


    ¡°Aww, now why would I do that? Your facial expressions give me such wonderful material for my writings~!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t just exploit me in my sleep; how¡¯d you get the key to my room anyway.¡±


    ¡°Yuu¡ª you can¡¯t just expect a girl to reveal all her secrets!¡± she said, pointing at him. ¡°Besides, you don¡¯t have the best track record with keys, remember?¡±


    ¡°That was nearly nine years ago.¡± He sighed, knowing his reasoning couldn''t break through her smug smile. He straightened his back, preparing for the light to change.


    ¡°But¡­¡­you¡¯re right. It¡¯s my fault for not waking up on my own, I shouldn¡¯t throw the blame on you. I¡¯m sorry.¡± He noticed her smug expression change as he spoke. ¡°But I don¡¯t get it. I set two alarms and they¡¯ve never failed before. I¡¯d understand if one didn¡¯t ring, but both?¡±


    He looked to his right, where she was trying, and failing, to whistle; in fact it looked more like someone trying to blow out a candle. Suddenly, her aforementioned writing material made sense.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have anything to do with that¡­¡­did you?¡±


    Her whistling charade became more forceful.


    ¡°Yuya, did you turn off my alarms?¡±


    ¡°YUI!¡± she childishly huffed, jumping in front of him. ¡°It¡¯s Yui! Y-U-I!¡± she prodded his chest with her finger as she sounded out each syllable. ¡°What¡¯s the point in giving me a nickname if you¡¯re not even the one using it?!¡±


    ¡°You say that like it¡¯s for my sake¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cuter!¡±


    ¡°¡ªand you¡¯re not answering the question.¡±


    ¡°Ghyu! I, I uh-uhh, here! Look! The walk signal is on! Hurry, let¡¯s cross before it turns off!¡±


    She grabbed his arm, tugging him along as she broke into a jog. Of course she dodged the question, but he still couldn¡¯t help but give a small smile as he followed; it wasn¡¯t the smile either of them sought, nor the one she was trying for, but it was the least he could show her after all her effort.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t need to, for my sake, but¡­¡­¡­I¡¯m glad you did. Thanks.¡±


    They jogged in silence for a while before she answered, refusing to look at him.


    ¡°What are you talking about? I just wanted to watch you sleep.¡±


    ¡°At least act bashful admitting something like th¡ª¡±


    His words cut out suddenly for a simple reason. To his left, across the street in a lonesome park illuminated by the morning light, stood a small girl crying beneath the branches of a tree. He didn¡¯t have time to look and see if there was a reason for her tears, as the two of them quickly rushed by, eventually arriving at the next intersection.


    He put his hands to his knees as he caught his breath once more.


    ¡°These uniforms really don¡¯t help with running.¡±


    ¡°Yuu¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I know¡­¡­you saw it too. But we¡¯re already late, there¡¯s nothing we can do.¡±


    ¡°Is¡­¡­¡­that so¡­¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t respond, but he didn¡¯t need to. He could feel her eyes burning into him, and though it wouldn¡¯t be the first time, he preferred if she could be less obvious about it.


    ¡°Yuu are¡­are you still unsure about what you want?¡±


    He sighed; he wasn¡¯t opposed to answering it, but there was no point in giving her a vague answer.


    And those were all he had.


    ¡°It might be what I want¡­¡­it might be what I should do.¡± He tentatively held the back of his head as he spoke. ¡°I just still need to understand if it¡¯s me or¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I¡­¡­¡­I understand.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not quite sure how else to explain it.¡±


    After that, he stood in silence, letting the morning air settle around him. He felt bad not giving her a concrete answer, but everything about what he wanted was still murky. With time he was sure he could figure it out, but until then¡­¡­¡­until then, he at least had to reassure her.


    ¡°You know, I still¡ª¡±


    Considering her running speed, he wondered how long ago she¡¯d disappeared. No, she wouldn¡¯t disappear, more like become sidetracked.


    He quickly scanned every direction until a blazer with blue trim caught his eye; in that moment he couldn''t have been more thankful for his dormitory placement. Because of the distance to school, as well as the fact every student stayed on campus, Yui¡¯s uniform contrasted perfectly against the morning background. Directly behind him, on the street from which they just came, he could see her eyeing left and right before crossing when an opportunity presented itself. It wasn¡¯t long before he ran after her, and after taking notice of him, she waited patiently on the other side.


    ¡°Yuya, is there a reason you ran off all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°There is,¡± she said, oddly flustered. ¡°I¡­¡­know you¡¯re having a hard time right now. I know it¡¯s been hard finding your own person, your own smile instead of¡­¡­well, that¡¯s why I guess.¡±


    ¡°To get me here?¡±


    ¡°With everything that¡¯s happened lately I wanted to know if you¡¯d still come for me,¡± she spoke with a fist to her chest before raising her head. ¡°Call it being selfish for wanting to see if you still have feelings for me.¡±


    She ended her words with a smile that radiated like the sun behind them.


    ¡°You¡¯re the reason I¡¯m here,¡± he said. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do something like that if you just wanted to check.¡±


    She beamed, but quickly subdued herself.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t use my nickname,¡± she huffed.


    ¡°Right, I¡¯ll be careful.¡± he sighed. Turning around, he spoke to her once more. ¡°Come on, otherwise we¡¯re going to be late.¡±


    ¡°Do we¡­need to?¡±


    ¡°What do you¡ª¡± he froze, realizing her intention. It hadn¡¯t occurred to him, but the crying stopped, replaced by the barely audible sound of sniffling.


    ¡°Yui we¡­¡­we¡¯re already late, it¡¯s our first day. We have our own responsibilities.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, is that so¡­.¡±


    He waited for her to say something else, but the only the continuous sensation of eyes burning into his back remained.


    ¡°Yes, it is. Someone else will help her¡ª neighbors, the police, others. It¡¯s not our job to help everyone we see.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm~ you¡¯re right about that.¡±


    He could hear her footsteps coming closer as she talked, but they were the pace of a limp turtle.


    ¡°I suppose we can¡¯t help everyone¡­¡­we¡¯ve no reason to feel responsible for it.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help but grin, and she was certain he could hear the smile in her voice.


    She stopped her footsteps the moment he looked upward; she always enjoyed that view, since it made his jaw and neck look especially enticing. After what seemed like hours, she could see his shoulders move upward, letting them down slowly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if you ran here to test me or lure me.¡±


    ¡°Yes you do~.¡±


    With a mischievous giggle, Yui followed closely behind the boy who made his way towards the despondent little girl.


    ¡°Oh, wait!¡± she said, tugging his shoulder. ¡°Let me talk to her first, a boy might scare her.¡±


    He sighed. ¡°The apple doesn''t fall far from the tree does it?¡±


    She gave him a wry smile as he moved to one side, letting her take the lead as she crouched down.


    ¡°Hey there little miss, are you alright?¡± her words were like silk, gentle and subdued. With gentle fingers, she touched her shoulders, and the girl looked up with a runny nose and wet cheeks.


    ¡°T-To-To i-is stuck! I-I can¡¯t get him down!¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s stuck? Where?¡±


    She pointed up, and Yui saw the innocent sight of a white cat with brown patches perching on the branch of a tree.


    ¡°I-I can¡¯t g-g-ge-get him down!¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey, it¡¯ll be alright~!¡± she said, rubbing the girl¡¯s quivering shoulders. ¡°Looky,¡± she pointed behind her, ¡°the person with me is super awesome at climbing trees¡ª he¡¯ll get him down for you!¡±


    Both looked to the boy who had an uneasy look on his face.


    ¡°Yui, I¡¯m no¡ª¡±


    ¡°There, see! What¡¯d I tell ya~? So no more crying or else he can¡¯t concentrate on getting your kitty, okay?¡±


    Yui¡¯s words and tone had an amazing effect on the girl, who furiously nodded her head in response. When she and Yui had finished drying her eyes, she ran up to the hesitating boy.


    ¡°P-Please do your best, Tree Mister!¡±


    ¡°Tree Mister?¡±


    ¡°Little miss,¡± interrupted Yui, ¡°Pardon, but do you think I could have a moment alone with him?¡±


    ¡°O-Oh¡­yes¡­¡­e-excuse me!¡±


    She hurriedly ran back under the branch holding the cat, though she switched her intense stare from it, to them, at a concerning rate.


    ¡°Can you climb it?¡± Yui asked as she approached.


    It was a valid question. The cat was at least six meters above ground and the branches were sparse on top of looking rather thin.


    ¡°At least ask before enlisting me to climb this thing.¡±


    ¡°I-I know I should have and I¡¯m sorry¡ª but I know you can! You¡¯re great at climbing trees!¡±


    ¡°As a kid,¡± he said, examining the base. ¡°It¡¯s been four years since I last climbed one, more if you¡¯re talking about something challenging like this.¡±


    ¡°Yuu¡­¡­¡±


    He approached the tree, putting his hand on the rough bark that marked the first step he would take; suddenly he felt someone tug at his shoulder.


    ¡°Wait, let¡¯s find another way, Yuu.¡±


    ¡°Relax, I¡¯ll be fine¡­probably.¡±


    ¡°No, I was reckless and ran into this without thinking! I just threw all the responsibility on you when you could get seriously hurt! W-We¡¯ll get a ladder from somewhere, or call the police, or¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yui.¡± he put his hands on her shoulders to calm her down. ¡°Relax. Look,¡± he said, kicking the ground beneath them, ¡°this park is made of nothing but sand. If I fall, it¡¯ll cushion my landing.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­¡­¡±


    He put a hand to her chin, lifting it up. ¡°Don¡¯t feel guilty for something that¡¯s not your fault.¡±


    ¡°You just said I enlisted you¡­¡±


    ¡°Then I guess we¡¯re both guilty.¡±


    With that, he turned and grabbed a hold of a branch stub a little above him. Using it to hold his weight, he hauled himself up to the first branch.


    ¡°Onee-chan¡­¡±


    Yui looked down to find the little girl tugging at her dress shirt.


    ¡°Will he be okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course he¡ª¡± She quickly grabbed the girl¡¯s shoulders and turned her away from the sight of a falling branch. ¡°He¡­¡­is going to do his best!¡± she smiled. The girl gave an emphatic nod, and to Yui¡¯s confusion, began scooping up sand with her palms.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Making a sand pillow!¡±


    She hadn¡¯t noticed, but underneath the branch holding the cat was an impressive pile of sand, nearly half the girl¡¯s height. Yui quickly joined her, and together, it grew to nearly surpass the girl herself.


    ¡°Watch yourselves, I¡¯m about to grab him.¡±


    Yui and the little girl looked above them, and sure enough, the boy was sitting a meter away from his target.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, inching his way closer, ¡°nearly there.¡±


    ¡°Tree Mister! P-Please put him inside your shirt! He likes it there!¡±


    ¡°Tree Mister again?¡± he whispered. ¡°But that¡¯s great advice, thanks.¡±


    ¡°Here kitty,¡± he said, slowly reaching his hand out. The cat responded by sniffing the outstretched hand, and he seized that moment to quickly take hold of it, pressing it firmly against his body.


    ¡°Yay, Tree Mister!¡±


    ¡°You got him!¡±


    Their celebration, however, was cut short by the sound of cracking wood. The boy quickly looked to his right and realized his mistake; he overextended, causing the branch to break at the base.


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±


    The panicked voices of the girls below escaped him as he madly tried returning to the tree, but it was no use. Preparing himself, he adjusted his body for the fall, aiming himself and the cat at the pile of sand the girls created.


    Of course, preparation can only get someone so far.


    The branch shattered with more force than he thought, plummeting him towards the earth in an instant. His grip on the cat loosened, but he took comfort in knowing he at least managed to toss it in what was relatively the direction of the sand pile; which was more than he could say for himself.


    ¡°TREE MISTER!¡±


    ¡°YUUKO!¡±


    She sprinted to the falling boy with everything she had. Of course, it would be painful and dangerous to do such a thing, but her mind and body were in total agreement: ¡°Brace yourself and catch him.¡±


    She never considered herself to have the best reflexes, but they were just fast enough to avoid Yuuko¡¯s body hitting her face. At the moment of impact, she could feel brute force strike at her shoulders and collarbone, and though she steeled her legs, they gave out beneath her almost immediately causing her collapse into the sand.


    Yuuko, on the other, could hardly control his flailing body during the freefall, but felt something break what would¡¯ve been a very serious fall. It didn¡¯t take him long to prop himself up with his arms, and examine the girl underneath him.


    ¡°Yuya! Yuya, hey!¡±


    For a moment, he noticed they¡¯d landed on one side of a giant pile of sand, so while not in the best spot, there was still a considerable amount cushioning them. His attention, however, shifted to the girl whose face was turned to the side. Hair covered the majority of her face, making it impossible to examine; he touched her cheek and prepared to move it himself, when sleepily, a hand grabbed hold of his own and pulled it to the side.


    ¡°Relax,¡± she whispered, moving her head to meet his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine¡­¡­probably.¡±


    Her voice was soft¡ª faint, but it didn¡¯t sound like she¡¯d suffered anything serious. Even though he could see her smiling, his heartbeat didn¡¯t let up, feeling like it¡¯d burst out of his chest.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. Well, I could lie and say I¡¯ve suffered a truly great injury. Then you¡¯d confess your feelings to me because you don¡¯t want me to go to Heaven without telling me, then I¡¯d confess that I¡¯ve always felt the same way whilst dramatically turning my head to the side¡ª letting you know I¡¯ve moved on from this life.¡±


    ¡°Yuya,¡± he sighed.


    She gave him a soft giggle.


    ¡°Yuuko, I¡¯m okay.¡±


    They both breathed a sigh of relief, and yet after confirming neither was injured, they didn¡¯t move. A strange tension grew between them, with both becoming acutely aware that Yuya¡¯s hand lay beneath Yuuko¡¯s, yet neither knew at what point their hands interlocked. Their fingers firmly rubbed against each other, as though protecting each other from a bitter cold. All the while, her right arm had been restrained at the wrist by his grip¡ª even when he realized it, he didn''t let go.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡­for catching me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d do the same for me.¡±


    Yuuko couldn¡¯t help but notice how¡­.enticing she looked. Her hair covered her eyes in such a way he could hardly see them, and the particles of sand that sprinkled it gave her an exotic, almost otherworldly appearance.


    And her gaze. There was no mistaking the meaning in it.


    She was hungry.


    ¡°Say¡­Yuu¡­¡­¡­¡±


    He could feel the delicate air coming from her lips, breath in the sweet, feminine fragrance emanating from her hair.


    She was as dangerous as she was enticing.


    ¡°Yui¡­?¡±


    ¡°I know we made a promise but¡­¡­¡­I¡¯m ready.¡±


    He felt a wave of heat surge in his body¡ª uncontrollable heat. The longing in his chest forced him to inch ever closer to the girl beneath him.


    ¡°Ready¡­¡­for what?¡±


    ¡°Geez¡­don¡¯t make a girl say it outloud¡­¡­¡±


    Her chest heaved with increasing speed, forcing her to breath through her mouth. She dug her nails into the back of his hand, biting her lip as if to restrain herself.


    ¡°Yuu¡­we could be somewhere else on our first day¡­¡­¡±


    He felt something escaping from inside of him. He didn¡¯t know at what point he¡¯d leaned his lower body into hers, but it felt right, he wanted it.


    He wanted to sate her hunger.


    What was this fire burning inside them?


    ¡°E-Excuse me..¡±


    Both suddenly turned to find a little girl standing beside them. She held a white cat with brown patches in one hand while covering her eyes with the other.


    Of course, she could still see them, because she opened her fingers to watch.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Hi there! Is your little kitty okay?¡±


    ¡°Mhm. He¡¯s okay.¡±


    Knowing Yui, she was undoubtedly glad the girl and her cat were okay. That being said, he couldn¡¯t help smiling at the subtle frustration in her tone.


    Thankfully, the girl herself seemed unaware of it.


    He picked himself up, offering a hand to Yui who now sighed with clearer frustration.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see your cat¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Mhm! Mhm! It¡¯s all thanks to you, Tree Mister!¡±


    Yuuko scratched the back of his head with a wry smile. ¡°Tree Mister is a bit odd. Just call me Yuu.¡±


    The girl¡¯s eyes shined with dangerous intensity, and as she ran up to his legs hopping up and down, he felt the crushing realization that it would¡¯ve been better had he not said anything at all.


    ¡°Then¡ªthen! In that case! Can I call you Yuu Onii-chan?!¡±


    ¡°Onii-chan?¡± he baffled. ¡°Look I don¡¯t think¡ª¡±


    He noticed Yui¡¯s hands covering her mouth in a vain attempt to cover her smile.


    If she starts crying because I said no, we¡¯ll have to deal with the fallout¡­well, it doesn''t really matter. Anything that gets us to school quicker.


    ¡°Sure,¡± he sighed. ¡°You can call me onii-chan.¡±


    ¡°YAY!¡± she said, skipping up and down. The cat bounced along with her, seemingly unamused.


    ¡°Speaking of,¡± said Yui, leaning down. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Yui!¡± said the girl. ¡°Yui Harukawa!¡±


    ¡°Yui!?¡± gasped Yui, clasping her hands together. ¡°What a coincidence! That¡¯s my name too!¡±


    ¡°Then¡ªthen! Can I call you Yui onee-san?! Or-or¡ªor I can call you ¡®Big Yui¡¯ and I can be ¡®Little Yui¡¯!¡±


    Big Yui gasped, patting the girl on the head. ¡°Of course! You can call me anything you like, Little Yui!¡±


    The girl once more bounced along with her cat, who this time voiced his displeasure.


    ¡°Oh? And what of this little one here? What¡¯s his name?¡±


    The little girl took a step back, holding the cat in both hands as she took a deep breath.


    ¡°TOTO!¡± she declared with pride.


    ¡°Nya.¡± it added.


    Yuuko was expecting any reaction from Yui aside from the one he, and the girl, received. She hastily retreated and put a hand to his shoulder after commenting on the name¡¯s cuteness.


    ¡°Can you talk to her for a bit?¡±


    ¡°Are you¡­okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t handle this. If I don¡¯t take a moment to calm down, I¡¯m liable to get a nose bleed and squeal at the top of my lungs.¡±


    ¡°Maternal instincts are something to be feared.¡± he said, backing away.


    He walked towards the girl who¡¯d seemed to calm down. With the cat now comfortably tucked into her shirt, he had to admit, he understood why Yui had to reign in her pseudo maternity.


    ¡°So, Yui¡ª¡±


    ¡°Little Yui,¡± she huffed.


    ¡°Little Yui,¡± he corrected, feeling a sense of deja-vu. ¡°I¡¯m glad we got your cat down, but shouldn¡¯t you be in school right now? What are you doing out here all by yourself?¡±


    The gleeful expression painted on her face moments ago became replaced with a look Yuuko recognized in an instant.


    ¡°Mama and papa left for work early. Toto snuck outside after, so I chased him to bring him back.¡±


    ¡°I see. You should hurry home back, the first day of school is important.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­I¡­¡­¡­¡±


    Little Yui¡¯s eyes began welling with clear liquid.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to go back¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±


    He felt Yui stand beside him, noting the change in atmosphere.


    ¡°I chased Toto here, but I don¡¯t know where I am¡­¡­¡­I got lost.¡±


    Yui bent down to comfort the girl, hugging her before the tears could escape.


    ¡°Hey now, it¡¯ll be alright. Onii-chan and onee-san will help you find your way home for sure.¡±


    ¡°R-Really?¡±


    ¡°Of course. What do you say, onii-chan?¡±


    ¡°Yui, I really think the police would be better suited for this.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­¡­¡± she stopped herself. ¡°¡­¡­¡­you¡¯re right. In that case, we¡¯ll wait right here with you until the police come, okay Little Yui?¡±


    She spoke those words while holding her hand, which seemed to make the girl feel better. In the meantime, Yuuko reached into his blazer pocket only to come out empty-handed.


    ¡°That¡¯s not right¡­¡±


    Only after checking the rest of his blazer, and his pants, did he come to a realization.


    ¡°Right, I was rushing after all.¡±


    ¡°Hmh? Yuu, is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°I forgot my phone. Do you have yours?¡±


    ¡°Oho Yuu~! What would you do without¡­¡­me¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°You left yours too, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    She patted the folds in her blazer before giving a solemn nod.


    He sighed through his nose, scratching the back of his head as he addressed the girl.


    ¡°Little Yui, do you know your address? What your street and house look like?¡±


    She gave strong nods, causing her ponytail to bob furiously up and down. ¡°I remember! If I see it, I¡¯ll definitely remember more!¡±


    He looked to Yui, who gave a reassuring smile. ¡°Our scholarships probably won¡¯t be rescinded from a single tardy, and¡­¡­we should do what we can.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± he said, looking to the girl. ¡°In that case, let¡¯s get you home.¡±


    ¡°Oh-w-wait, onii-chan¡­¡±


    He¡¯d already started walking away, but a certain *ahem* sound caused him to look back. He hadn¡¯t noticed, but Yui still held on to Little Yui¡¯s hand, whose other arm was not only free, but hesitantly stretched towards him.


    She reached out, then pulled away, then reached out before her fingers curled inward. She had no idea how to ask, but from the way Yui tilted her head, it was obvious what she was asking him to do.


    ¡°Haaaghah.¡± He walked back and met the girl¡¯s warm hazel eyes. ¡°Little Yui, would you like to hold my hand while we walk you home?¡±


    ¡°Y-Yes! Is¡­that okay?¡±


    Without saying anything, he took her free hand, and a hearty grin painted her face. The three of them made their way to the exit with their hands connected like a single chain.


    Though they used directories and landmarks Little Yui provided in order to find her correct street, the city beyond the immediate boundaries of the school was still a mystery to them. It took at least thirty minutes for them to gather their bearings, but after passing the same grocery store twice, the scenery shifted to something familiar. After walking by a small, familiar internet cafe, Yuuko realized her house wasn¡¯t far from his dorm. The thought quickly left his mind as the three of them crossed the street.


    ¡°Hey, Big Yui.¡±


    ¡°Gy¡ªah, hey, that¡¯s a nickname more for Little Yui; just you calling me ¡®Yui¡¯ is fine.¡±


    ¡°Switch places with me.¡±


    ¡°At least acknowledge what I¡ªwait, switch?¡±


    He didn¡¯t wait for a response before taking the spot she stood in moments ago, grabbing the girl¡¯s hand in the process. She stood befuddled for a moment before a smile grew on her face.


    ¡°Say, Yui onee-chan?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Why did onii-chan switch places with you?¡±


    ¡°Because that side is closest to the street.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­¡­I don¡¯t think I get it.¡±


    I don¡¯t think most people do,¡± she laughed. ¡°You see, when a boy walks side by side with a girl, he¡¯s always supposed to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt,¡± interrupted Yuuko, ¡°but is this it, Little Yui?¡±


    In the entrance of a small street, Yui looked to her left and right before suddenly squealing with excitement. Releasing both their hands, she ran towards a house with an oddly inclined roof and wasted no time in pulling back a loose brick, grabbing a key, and throwing open the gate.


    ¡°We¡¯re home, we¡¯re home!¡± she bounced.


    ¡°Ara, we made it!¡± Yui said, softly clapping.


    Little Yui pulled Toto from her shirt. ¡°I-I¡¯m going to put him inside, I¡¯ll be right back!¡±


    She hadn¡¯t even finished her sentence before bursting into her house, leaving the two high schoolers outside to wait for her.


    ¡°You¡¯d think she¡¯d be more cautious.¡±


    ¡°She was. If you¡¯d talked to her first, no doubt she would¡¯ve run away crying.¡±


    ¡°That bad?¡±


    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t look scary but¡­¡­you never really smiled.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing you smiled enough for both of us then.¡±


    She turned her head to the side, partly to hide her flushed face, but more so because she couldn¡¯t meet his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡­I spoke without thinking¡­again. I know you¡¯re trying your best.¡±


    Yuuko didn¡¯t entirely fault her. Anyone, not just a child, would be put off by someone acting distant, especially if it¡¯s their first time meeting. People feel safe if they understand others don¡¯t want to hurt them¡ª something a smile easily shows.


    But what happens if someone wants to remain distant? What happens when someone distant helps another person?


    Is such a thing allowed?


    ¡°Hey.¡± she said, tugging on his sleeve. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer.¡±


    ¡°Answer?¡±


    ¡°My apology. You climbed the tree because I didn¡¯t think things through, and the same thing happened just now with¡­¡­with your¡­¡­¡­anyway I spoke without thinking, and, I really am sorry. Forgive me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re taking this apology pretty seriously.¡±


    ¡°A long time ago, someone told me that saying sorry means you won¡¯t do the bad thing again.¡±


    He looked at her face¡ª not a hint of deceit or sarcasm. Of course there wouldn¡¯t be; of course she truly and genuinely felt bad, felt sorry, for the things she said.


    ¡°I forgive you,¡± he eased. ¡°But in exchange, I want you to answer my question.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    She was intrigued by his condition, but Yuuko was silent for a long time. Whatever it was, he wanted to be clear of it before speaking. Or, perhaps, he didn¡¯t quite know how to phrase it.


    ¡°Should I have¡­¡­felt guilty¡­if I¡¯d left? If I hadn¡¯t helped? She wasn¡¯t our responsibility¡­so would I be a cruel person if I¡¯d chosen to leave?¡±


    She put a finger to her lip, curving it as she bid her time.


    ¡°This sounds similar to something you asked me back then.¡± She unfurled her finger, taking his silence as a sign to continue. ¡°I think there¡¯s feelings we should, and shouldn¡¯t, listen to. Guilt is complicated, but I know that sometimes helping another person can help you too.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes huh¡­¡±


    ¡°Not all feelings are meant to be listened to, otherwise we wouldn¡¯t be here now.¡± she said the past part playfully, but there was certainly truth behind it.


    ¡°I¡¯m back!¡± said a childish voice. ¡°S-Sorry I took so long, Toto wanted food but mama says I shouldn¡¯t give him a lot or he¡¯ll get fat!¡±


    ¡°Oh my,¡± said Yui with a bemusing smile. ¡°True, I did see a little pudge on him, but if he can climb trees like that then he¡¯s going to be just fine.¡±


    It looked like that wasn¡¯t all she did. The girl had changed her shirt that was full of hair from carrying the cat. She wore a simple, yellow t-shirt with a matching scrunchie that loosely tied back her hair.


    Yui swept away the bangs in her eye, and was about to comment on their leave, but her fidgeting caused her to stop.


    ¡°Little Yui,¡± interjected Yuuko, ¡°is there something you want to ask?¡±


    ¡°U-Uhm!¡­¡­I-If it¡¯s okay, c-can you and Yui onee-chan come with me to school?!¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    ¡°Heh?¡±


    Blood quickly rushed to her face, causing her to stammer out her words. ¡°M-mama and papa usually come with me but¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°L-Little Yui, we¡¯re so happy you asked but¡­¡±


    ¡°S-Since it¡¯s the first day, they would normally come with me! I¡ªIs it okay?¡±


    Yui nervously turned to meet Yuuko¡¯s eyes. It seemingly caught him off guard as well, but in the depths of her heart she knew her answer the second she asked.


    It was unfair of her to drag him around, helping people when he was still helping himself.


    ¡°Little Yui, thank you, but you see, it¡¯s our first day too so¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªwe¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    ¡°You will?!¡±


    ¡°We will?!¡±


    He sighed. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous for you to walk around by yourself.¡± He reluctantly stretched out his hand. ¡°Hurry, or we¡¯ll be even more late than we already are.¡±


    ¡°HooRAY! We can run!¡±


    ¡°No running.¡±


    ¡°We can walk super, duper fast!¡±


    As Yui took her other hand, she lowered the volume of her voice.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± she asked Yuuko.


    ¡°We¡¯re already late,¡± he whispered back, ¡°and honestly¡­¡­I need time to consider how I feel about this.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help but smile; partly because of his willingness to keep helping her, but also because she knew exactly what he meant by ¡°this.¡±


    ¡°Alrighty then Little Yui,¡± beamed Big Yui. ¡°Lead the way!¡±


    Part 2


    Yuuko set down the groceries to fish for the key in his blazer pocket.


    ¡°I hope our teacher¡¯s lenient, otherwise we¡¯re in for a rough start.¡±


    ¡°Ehehe, I hope so too, but not many teachers would be happy with a student missing the entire first day of class; even if it is only half a normal school day.¡±


    ¡°At least we knew the way back,¡± he said, swinging open the door and walking inside. ¡°Her house is surprisingly close.¡±


    ¡°Which means she can come visit anytime she likes!¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Aww, what¡¯s wrong~?¡± she said, poking him with a piece of celery. ¡°I thought you would¡¯ve liked having a child for a day.¡±


    ¡°Yui, I don¡¯t want to cause a misunderstanding.¡± he said, taking the celery she pushed into his lower back. ¡°It¡¯s amazing her parents didn¡¯t call the police on us¡ª if we weren¡¯t Mirror students, I think they would have.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­I suppose so. Yui vouched for us, and we were outside the school in clear view of everyone. It¡¯s amazing how much reputation the school has.¡±


    ¡°A place like this¡­¡­¡­I knew shouldn¡¯t have been accepted in the first place¡­¡±


    He leaned against the countertop as he finished his sentence, causing Yui to step away from the rest of the groceries.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say things like that¡ª it was a bad year but you pulled through in the end. That proves you earned your place here.¡±


    ¡°It was nepotism.¡± He spoke with difficulty, his hands clinging onto the dark brown counter. ¡°I wouldn''t be in this dorm otherwise, I didn¡¯t earn my spot here like you did.¡±


    She was about to put a hand on him, to say something that might give him some comfort, but to her surprise¡ª


    ¡°That¡¯s why I have to.¡±


    ¡ªhe hadn¡¯t finished speaking.


    ¡°While I¡¯m here, I have to prove it wasn¡¯t a mistake to let me attend.¡±


    She smiled.


    He¡¯s trying¡­¡­to be optimistic. Yuuko¡­ please, keep doing your best!


    ¡°You know,¡± she said, twirling around in the middle of the living room. ¡°This place is nothing to complain about; it¡¯s more like an apartment complex than a dorm!¡±


    ¡°The staff member who gave me the key said it housed important students back when the school was first established.¡± He spoke while placing a large onion on a cutting board, mincing it into squares. ¡°When the scandal with the rich broke out, the school decided to give everyone ¡®equal¡¯ dorms, and most were torn down with the exception of a few used as storage.¡±


    ¡°Hmm~? That must¡¯ve been recent, otherwise there¡¯s no way it¡¯d be in this good of a condition.¡±


    ¡°No idea,¡± he said, giving her a faint smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t keep up with current events.¡±


    She slid next to him, lightly bumping against his body. ¡°And I was on the other side of the world, so I guess we¡¯re both in the dark about what happened.¡±


    She flashed him a smile so bright, he couldn¡¯t help but feel better. And he had a feeling that was exactly her goal.


    ¡°Still,¡± she said, opening and closing the various doors around her, ¡°I hope you¡¯re counting your blessings. The dorms at school are so tiny they only house two students¡ª one if there¡¯s a circumstance that makes living with another person difficult, and those are rarely given out.¡±


    ¡°I am, believe me. I¡¯ll work hard to earn my place here.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    The conversation died naturally, and aside from the sound of Yuuko preparing ingredients, a blanket of silence covered the room. A mischievous grin spread across Yui¡¯s face as she recognized the opportunity almost instantly.


    With cat-like movements, she snuck behind her target.


    ¡°Say, Yuu~?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°What would you say if I moved in with you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say¡ª h-hey! Yui, where are you reaching?!¡±


    Her arms snaked their way up his chest, grabbing and tugging on whatever pieces of cloth they could find. Yuuko quickly turned around, at which point she grabbed the countertop¡¯s edges on either side of him, trapping him with her embrace.


    ¡°I saw your face when you fell on top of me.¡± She purred soft velvet into her voice, pressing her body against his. He could feel the warm and soft sensations on his torso.


    ¡°Yui, is this really¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are you telling me you don¡¯t want to pick up where we left off~?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the issue here¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, and why¡¯s that~? It¡¯ll just be the two of us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why it¡¯d be a problem!¡±


    Slowly, she brought her arms inward while placing her leg firmly into the gap created by his own. The closer she came, the warmer he felt.


    He could feel the resistance inside his body melt away.


    ¡°Yu¡­i¡­¡­¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    ¡°What¡­¡­¡­was that for?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­w-well, think of it like a promise. Until you¡¯re ready, I¡¯ll wait for you. Just like you did for me, for so many years.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d¡­¡­wait for me?¡±


    She blushed, which looked particularly bright in the color of the dying sun. ¡°And when I do, I¡¯ll never leave your side again. That¡¯s my promise.¡±


    He was about to comment when she interrupted. ¡°So¡­no need to rush, okay?¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    He grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back down onto her feet.


    ¡°Y¡ªYuu?¡±


    ¡°I have to say this before I lose my self-control, I can¡¯t. Not yet. I made you a promise and I still have to make good on it before you make good on yours.¡±


    An embarrassed and guilty look came across her face.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡­right. Of course¡­¡­¡­I-I¡¯m sor¡ªryyy!?¡±


    She quickly and suddenly got pulled close to him. Before she knew it, he had one hand around her waist and another on her chin, forcing her to look directly at him.


    ¡°Do not misunderstand me. If I don¡¯t stop now, I¡¯m going to lose what little self-control I have left. So do me a favor and please sit over there before I do something I¡¯ll be held accountable for.¡±


    She felt everything, from her ears to the tips of her fingers, dyed red.


    ¡°O¡­¡­kay.¡±


    And for some reason, it was particularly difficult for her to walk back to the living room.


    She heard a deep, low sigh from the kitchen.


    ¡°Is that why you want the two of us to live together?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely¡­ah!¡±


    Her sudden outburst caused him to look back with worry. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I remembered I was supposed to have met my roommate today! Uhhnnn, there¡¯s dormitory paperwork both of us are required to complete and I¡¯ve probably kept her waiting all day!¡±


    ¡°Okay well¡­¡­don¡¯t let me stop you.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but I shouldn¡¯t be long! How soon is dinner going to be ready?¡±


    ¡°About fifteen minutes, give or take. But it¡¯ll be fine as long as I keep it on the stove, take your time.¡±


    ¡°Aaah, sorry for the trouble. Oh, what did you make by the way?¡±


    ¡°Oyakodon.¡±


    Her silence was deafening, and when Yuuko looked back, she had both hands covering her mouth in a mischievous, implicative manner.


    ¡°Ara Yuu~, how very inappropriate.¡±


    ¡°I had it in mind since morning,¡± he said, shooing her away. ¡°Now get going, I¡¯ll see you later.¡±


    Part 3


    Yui wasn¡¯t completely familiar with the layout of the city, but the route from Yuu¡¯s dorm to the school was something she made sure to memorize; simple since it''s a fairly straightforward path.


    Being midday, however, foot traffic was high, slowing her down but giving her extra time to think about the laundry list of tasks she needed to complete, especially given how both she and Yuuko had missed their entire first day of class.


    Her train of thought was interrupted when she tripped over a small stone, causing her to fumble into a nearby woman.


    ¡°Uh-oh! I¡¯m so sorry, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Oh no, please don¡¯t apologize! It¡¯s my fault, I should have been more careful.¡±


    After a brief exchange of words the woman left, causing Yui to sigh and put her hands to her cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m still distracted after all~. Ah, I really need to focus.¡±


    Adjusting the ribbon in her hair, she reached into the pocket on the side of her blazer and removed a small slip of paper.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see let¡¯s see,¡± she said, unfolding it while continuing her walk. ¡°The first year females¡¯ dorm¡­¡­¡­second floor, room 230.¡± She curled a finger in front of her lip, speaking to no one in particular. ¡°My roommate is¡­okay, and I still need to sign the living agreement with her and hand that to the housing administration office. It would be a good idea to visit my homeroom teacher too; it¡¯s the first day, so they must still be in the teachers¡¯ office.¡±


    Familiar scenery brought her back to the present: a waist high, concrete wall signalling the school¡¯s boundary. Everything inside them belongs to Mirror Boarding School, which means every rule-breaking student answers to the school¡¯s disciplinary committee¡ª and if severe enough, the school board themselves.


    ¡°I see. That must be why they¡¯re hiding from the cameras.¡±


    Her eyesight wasn¡¯t perfect, but it wasn¡¯t as if she needed glasses to see a group of three students herding what looked like a very uncomfortable boy underneath a balcony.


    She stood behind the wall, taking in the situation. The boy with lazy hair tied into a ponytail shoved the blonde boy into the wall, making him lose his balance and stumble into the dirt.


    It reminded Yui of¡­¡­herself. The version of her from childhood.


    She tried for a long time to look past that, and as an apology to the people she hurt she did everything she could to change herself. Even so, there were still nights her memories would resurface, one or two, as vivid as the moment they happened. She could remember the looks her classmates¡¯ gave her, the looks when she stole their food, their money, or when she simply beat them for annoying her.


    ¡°But if I do something¡­¡­¡­I might make things worse for that boy.¡±


    The most memorable lessons, she learned, often come from the worst situations.


    She¡¯d learned to forgive herself for being a childhood bully, as she¡¯d learned to forgive the people that hurt her. But even then, there was something she couldn¡¯t move past, a feeling she¡¯s kept even from Yuuko.


    If I help him¡­¡­would the result be the same? To do more harm that good¡­¡­I might hurt him, the same way I hurt Yuuko.


    ¡°Should I have felt guilty if I left?¡±


    But he didn¡¯t. Despite how he felt, despite his spiritual struggle, Yuuko didn¡¯t leave.


    Choosing to stay with the girl, to listen to her, to help her¡ª it must mean that on some level, he forgives her.


    Now the only thing left for Yuuko to do is remedy himself. And she wanted to be there.


    The boy, who she assumed was the ringleader, suckerpunched the blonde in the chest, sending his glasses flying from his face.


    From the situation it was clear the ringleader is sending out a warning, a violent one; even if she were to intervene, there was no way she could fight three high school boys.


    Wait¡­¡­¡­Yuuko¡¯s¡­¡­


    ¡°Men tend to get close before trying anything,¡± she said. ¡°That means the woman will almost always have a chance at the first shot.¡±


    The memory surfaced, clear as day.


    ¡°Remember to stay in areas with plenty of eyes watching, and if there aren¡¯t any eyes¡­¡±


    With a pale face, she climbed over the wall, dusting off the bits of stone that attached themselves to her uniform.


    ¡°Goodness,¡± she sighed. ¡°Yuu, you¡¯d better take responsibility for influencing me this much.¡± She walked over with quickened steps. ¡°Excuse me,¡± she said, interrupting what looked to be a serious escalation on the part of the ringleader. He eyed her, taking surprising care in what to say before speaking.


    ¡°You¡¯re wearing our uniform, what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Well, I happened to be walking by and¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªnoticed me and wanted my number?¡± said a boy with a crooked mouth.


    She had to bite her tongue to keep from giggling. Aside from the vague notion that he was contributing to bullying a student, she hadn¡¯t noticed him at all.


    She paid no attention to the words he spoke, but noted every step he took, and when he moved his arm¡ª


    ¡°Please don¡¯t touch me with that filthy hand of yours.¡± she smiled, suppressing her disgust.


    She could feel the bones in his fingers strain under the pressure. If she broke them, the administration could accuse her of excessive force, so with no other option, she let go.


    Still, she wiped her hand against her skirt hem, since she would only ever accept the touch of one man.


    ¡°What the hell!?¡±


    ¡°What did you just do to him?!¡±


    It seemed the ringleader all but forgot about the boy behind him. She could feel venomous intent with every step he took, but just as he left the protective shade of the balcony, she wiggled her finger and pointed to the camera.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t if I were you. If you haven¡¯t noticed, I¡¯m not underneath your balcony nor do I have the intention of moving closer.¡±


    His stop was so sudden that it looked as if an invisible barrier suddenly appeared in front of him. He eyed the black lenses around them, and Yui felt the opportunity arise.


    ¡°If you wish to fight me, go ahead. I doubt the administration will find your reason for hitting me as justifiable as a boy placing his hands on a girl he doesn''t know.¡±


    Her words had their intended effect. She knows what it¡¯s like to be a delinquent, and understands the attention that comes with it. Even if it is only the first day, she doubted a boy like the one in front of her would be the type to fade into the background.


    No, his type is the kind that demands his presence be made known.


    As his friend called for him, he turned to speak to the boy on the ground. ¡°I won¡¯t forget this Luka. Watch yourself.¡±


    The boy approached her as the delinquent and his friends retreated into the distance. The calm after the storm gave her the chance to properly take a look at the boy before her. Blonde hair, and strikingly pale blue eyes behind relatively thin framed glasses.


    He looks so shaken¡­¡­


    ¡°Are you okay Luka?¡±


    Maybe he didn¡¯t want to talk about it, but given the look on his face and the situation she just saw him go through, it was the least she could try asking before making her departure.


    It came as a surprise to her when, as if unconsciously, he put a hand up to his face and moved his head away from her.


    He has no self-confidence¡­¡­no, I suppose he wouldn¡¯t.


    She purposely tried not to pay attention to the elephant in the room: his severe weight problem. She bent her body to look underneath his hand, to the face he¡¯d hidden away.


    ¡°Um¡­Luka?


    It seemed to bring him back to the present.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I got your name wrong, I heard him call you that so I figured¡­¡±


    In an instant change of character, he began laughing maniacally. ¡°Indeed, you heard correctly! T-The name is Luka!¡± he stuttered.


    If he has a confidence problem¡­¡­ maybe it might be best for me to make sure he¡¯s okay?


    ¡°Ahh, so it is. At any rate, are you hurt? That guy didn¡¯t seem like he held back.¡±


    It¡¯s fine. He¡¯ll tell me he¡¯s okay and I¡¯ll take my leave afterwards.


    But she noticed something in his body language that made her change her mind.


    ¡°I understand your concern madam, but fret not!¡± he said, holding out a bruised hand and wincing at the pain. ¡°I am uninjured!¡±


    It was the same thing Yuuko did during childhood. Those poses, the winces, the act: it was all the same.


    The only thing that wasn¡¯t the same¡­¡­¡­was motive. And in the case of the boy in front of her, the reason he tried so hard to act tough was obvious.


    ¡°I could have taken on all three of them had the situation been truly desperate!¡±


    With those words, her feelings were confirmed correct.


    ¡°How long?¡± she thought as she engaged in conversation with him. ¡°How long has he been bullied like that?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­I, The Dark Shepherd, attained this level in a mere¡­mere¡­¡­ah! Two years!¡±


    Two years. For two years he¡¯s been running, no, hiding from his problems. Yui thought about the boy who helped her become the person she is today.


    And maybe¡­¡­¡­he could help you too. Because if he doesn¡¯t move himself, he won¡¯t be able to move you.


    Accepting her proposal to return to Yuu¡¯s dorm, the two exited the school properly, with Yui leading the way.


    Part 4


    She knew eavesdropping was wrong, but resolved to ask forgiveness from Yuu and Luka one day.


    It would¡¯ve been difficult listening in with the bathroom door closed, so she kept a small part of it open on purpose, much in the same way she spilled her tea. From the way he talked, she knew Yuu understood her intentions. Neither of them knew the boy beyond name, so how in the world could they expect him to feel comfortable sharing his burdens?


    But Yuuko had something she didn¡¯t, an ability cultivated over his years of isolation. By removing herself from the situation, he and Luka could at least speak to each other man to man, and bring Luka one step closer to moving himself.


    ¡°Even if it¡¯s something simple like how to walk with a girl!¡± she furiously whispered. ¡°I¡¯m a delicate maiden, and delicate maidens aren¡¯t supposed to walk closest to the street!¡± She was genuinely astonished at how much it bothered her on their way here.


    She sighed, realizing how far gone she sounded. ¡°Goodness, when did I become so spoiled?¡±


    There were a few answers that came into her mind, most involving Yuuko, his mother, or her grandmother.


    A sudden wave of inexplicable melancholy washed over her. No¡­¡­¡­not inexplicable; she knew exactly where it came from.


    The way she forced Yuuko to help the little girl, this unknown boy, even her own actions of intervening with the bullies.


    ¡°Is this how you felt as a child¡­¡­¡­full of guilt?¡±


    No. Even if that was part of the reason, there was no denying what she knew.


    ¡°Maybe¡­you¡¯re just looking for an opportunity¡­¡­and if that¡¯s true¡­¡­¡­¡±


    She felt guilty, yes, for trying to force the Yuuko of her childhood to reappear. But even if he doesn''t want to help people anymore, he¡¯s looking for another way, a middle ground.


    And if that¡¯s true, she needs to help him find that middle ground as quickly as possible.


    Hearing the clatter of dishes and plates, she assumed they finished with their talk. Quickly rinsing out the virtually nonexistent stain, she opened the door with renewed feelings.


    Feelings that told her it might work after all.


    *   *   *   *   *


    The sun was beginning to set by the time Yui and Luka left the dorm.


    ¡°So, can I ask what you two talked about?¡± she politely inquired.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡­¡­not really sure myself.¡±


    The smile on her face gave way to an amused sigh.


    ¡°It can be a bit hard to keep up with him, but that just means he isn¡¯t bothering to put on a mask around you.¡±


    ¡°He¡­do you¡­¡­think that¡¯s a good thing?¡±


    She put her finger to her lip, thinking about her answer. ¡°I think that depends on you, Luka.¡±


    As the two entered through the school¡¯s front entrance, the teal-lit lamps around campus detected the growing darkness and began to shine.


    ¡°Well Luka, it seems we¡¯ll be headed in opposite directions now. It was a pleasure meeting you.¡± She gave a small curtsy as she finished her goodbye.


    ¡°Y-Yeah,¡± he stammered. ¡°I me-yES! Yes! It was an honor meeting you as well Madam! I look forward to the time we may meet again!¡±


    As they said goodbye, Yui felt a great weight suddenly fall on her shoulders. It was clear where it came from, and as she approached her room, the feeling only became stronger.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even let her know I was here; what kind of roommate am I?¡± she sighed. ¡°I really am spoiled.¡±


    Climbing the stairs to the third floor, she took a deep breath and opened the door.


    ¡°Hello, it¡¯s Yui Itomei, your new roommate. I¡¯m so sorry, I know¡­¡­I¡¯m¡­¡­¡­late?¡±


    Confusion overtook her voice as she looked around the small room. She only briefly entered her room upon arrival to the school to put her things away, so her clothes and personal belongings were mostly unpacked. That said, if one were to remove the small signs of her presence, the room would look barren and unused. The only thing left would be¡ª


    ¡°A bag?¡±


    She picked up a small backpack from the kotatsu in the middle of the room, and underneath it, spotted a document titled ¡°Mirror High School - Student Living Arrangement Contract.¡± Next to the thick stack of papers was a signature page, with one line already filled out.


    ¡°She signed it already?¡­¡­but we haven¡¯t even talked about it¡­¡±


    She tried reading the name of the signature, and though she strained her eyes, she couldn¡¯t make out a legible name.


    She scratched the back of her head in confusion. Electing to think about the matter later, Yui turned on the lights and began arranging her belongings.


    ¡°I really should¡¯ve done this earlier.¡± Though the words sounded pessimistic, she said them with a cheerful, almost playful, tone. And the smile on her face simply wouldn¡¯t go away.


    ¡°After what happened today, there¡¯s no way anything will go wrong tomorrow!¡±


    Part 5


    ¡°Now then Miss Asahino,¡± Miss Wakako said, pointing to the girl. ¡°Would you please introduce yourself?¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± she said inside her mind. ¡°I have no one to blame but myself.¡±

 Intermission I

    Part 1


    ¡°Unacceptable!¡±


    The girl stood from her mahogany chair, walking around the wooden desk to further reprimand the boy who¡¯d delivered to her a stack of papers thick with financial information.


    ¡°Double over budget with all of it going to frivolities! Where¡¯s the distribution for maintenance? Repairs? Modernizing the school¡¯s classrooms and dormitories!? How have you been balancing this budge? Where have you people gotten the money from?!¡±


    She said all this while waving the stack in front of the boy¡¯s unamused, possibly annoyed, face.


    ¡°We¡¯ve always been fine going a little over; why fix something that isn¡¯t broken?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all broken, that¡¯s why I¡¯m here in the first place!¡± exasperated the girl. ¡°This is worse than I thought, I knew this system would be abused.¡±


    ¡°Not even a week in and you¡¯re already talking like you own us, freak; that¡¯s probably why every other council member quit!¡± Wrinkles appeared around the boy¡¯s face as he barked. ¡°And you know what? I only joined cause it makes my graduation papers look good, but this is straight abuse! I¡¯m going home, I quit.¡±


    The boy stormed out without another word, leaving the pale girl alone with her thoughts.


    ¡°¡®Straight abuse,¡¯¡± she scoffed. ¡°Said the person who called me a freak.¡±


    She circled back to her chair and nearly sat back down, but opted instead for staring through the window just behind her. Reaching for her blazer¡¯s breast pocket, she unfolded a cloud white handkerchief¡ª the gold embroidered name inscribed below the trim always got her attention.


    ¡°Someone who doesn''t care for that¡­¡­someone like him has to still exist¡­¡­¡­¡±


    She held it gingerly against her palm before turning around to glare at the door. She was almost certain there was a knock, but it was so faint there was a good chance she imagined it. Tenderly returning the cloth to its rightful place, she opened the door, prepared for another council member, but was greeted with an odd sight.


    Directly in front of her was a girl with long, wavy red hair. A lily white hand was frozen in place, just a few inches away from where the door would have been had she not opened it. The strangest part, however, was how hard she stared at the floor tile¡ª like she was having a staring contest with it. She wasn¡¯t hyperventilating, per se, but if she truly was having a contest, then the breakneck pace of her breathing made it clear she was losing.


    ¡°Are you¡­¡­alright?¡±


    The girl lifted her head at a speed that made her neck muscles uncomfortable. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sounds came out; she held that position for quite some time before furiously rummaging through the bag at her side until finding, and removing, a dark metal object.


    ¡°A camera?¡±


    The girl vigorously nodded her head, pointing to the camera¡¯s screen while gesturing inside the room.


    ¡°You want to come inside?¡±


    The girl answered with a firm nod.


    ¡°O¡­kay, come on in.¡±


    The girl gave an awkward bow before hesitantly stepping into the room, though her pace would¡¯ve made a sloth jealous. Reaching the mahogany centerpiece, she stood by a small wooden chair, across from the pale girl, who¡¯d filed away an intimidatingly thick stack of papers.


    The light from the window allowed the pale girl to see the redhead¡¯s features better¡ª freckles dotted the bridge of her nose and cheeks; her eyebrows were thick, expressing the discomfort she clearly felt. In fact, she was examining the room around her with a sense of wonder and tentative awe. It was doubtful she missed anything, since the girl wore glasses that had red trim around them, except at the very top of the lens.


    ¡°So, I imagine you have something to show me?¡±


    At this point, she expected the hesitation; the girl clicked the camera a few times while stretching her face into a grimace. In an odd twist, the girl straightened her posture, finding a kind of resolve after viewing whatever was in her camera. Flipping it around, she stretched her arm to offer the image.


    And the pale girl smiled.


    The image in the camera was as clear as day. A girl, whose night black hair held a distinctive blue ribbon, confronted three delinquents who seemed to be bullying a blonde student beneath a balcony. And there, overlooking the scene from three stories above ground, was a girl with an indifferent expression, whose long white hair, ivory skin, and pale amethyst eyes resembled something from a childhood story book.


    ¡°Ara,¡± she said, playfully putting a guilty hand to her bowtie. ¡°Who¡¯d have thought someone would be observing the observer. I must admit, I never saw the blonde boy being assaulted so violently, but that¡¯s natural given the balcony underneath me.¡±


    She returned the camera to its rightful owner, placing both elbows on the desk while gesturing for the still-standing girl to take a seat.


    Which, of course, she did with hesitation.


    ¡°I see you¡¯re also a first year¡ª may I ask your name?¡±


    The redhead shuffled awkwardly in her seat, leading to a prolonged silence so clear one could hear a heart¡¯s rhythmic beating from across the room. It wasn¡¯t until the girl¡¯s eyelids opened in realization that her expression changed from anxious stalling, to more desperate rummaging.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    A few seconds later, she was typing away at the keypad on her phone with speeds that would¡¯ve impressed a seasoned social butterfly. She turned the device around, bold text popping out due to it¡¯s print size.


    ¡¸My name is Terra Innes, but is it okay if you call me ¡®Hana¡¯ instead?¡¹


    ¡°Hana? Like ¡®flower¡¯?¡± She blinked back her confusion as she accommodated her tone. ¡°Well, if that¡¯s what you prefer. Now then, Hana, would you mind answering another question for me?¡±


    The girl gave a small nod.


    ¡°What were you doing photographing the students? Surely you noticed the cameras around the buildings¡ª why bother?¡±


    Hana began tapping on the hardwood floor with nervous rhythm. She opened her mouth, closed it, eyed the room, and shuffled through her camera before finally deciding on staring at the phone beneath her.


    ¡¸Will I get in trouble?¡¹


    She hesitantly showed the text before the girl sighed and reclined in her chair.


    ¡°If anything, those delinquents should be the ones getting expelled. And to answer your question, no. Even if it borders on violating school rules, I see no reason as to why you should get in trouble. Regardless, you have my word as council president.¡±


    Her eyes flickered from the president, to her phone before finally showing her the text on the tiny screen.


    ¡¸That camera was a fake.¡¹


    The girl¡¯s pale crystal eyes went wide.


    ¡°How¡­do you know that?¡±


    Hana became skittish seeing the president¡¯s reaction, in fact, her breathing was becoming much faster compared to when she was about to open the door.


    ¡°H-Hey, calm down!¡± she said, waving her hands. ¡°You¡¯re not in any kind of trouble, seriously! I just¡­I didn¡¯t even know it was possible to tell a real one from a fake, let alone when it comes to a security camera.¡±


    The words seemed to soothe her skittish dance, but the adrenaline from the scare now coursed through her fingers. Like a machine, she typed a response within seconds.


    ¡¸It was mostly the wire that gave it away¡­but I¡¯ve spent a long time using cameras, that¡¯s how I could tell.¡¹


    ¡°¡®A long time,¡¯ huh? Even so, why take the picture?¡±


    It was a simple question, the answer to which she¡¯d already begun typing¡ª but for some reason her fingers stopped, and her trembling returned.


    ¡°I would¡¯ve been more worried about the girl,¡± sighed the president, recognizing the situation wasn¡¯t going to go anywhere. ¡°Honestly, young people are so reckless.¡±


    ¡¸President¡­¡­¡­couldn¡¯t you¡­¡­.have stopped the situation?¡¹


    She stared at the screen with unmoving eyes before *fuah* exhaling.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t have stopped it from three stories above ground. Besides, those delinquents are the type to get their scholarship rescinded early, especially if I choose to testify against them.¡±


    ¡¸You¡­¡­won¡¯t?¡¹


    ¡°Sorry, I know that¡¯s what you came here for, but I have more important things to worry about than some punks who¡¯ll get caught sooner rather than later.¡±


    ¡¸But then¡­why were you on the roof?¡¹


    ¡°¡­¡­even though you don¡¯t talk much, you ask a lot of questions.¡±


    ¡¸¡­sorry¡­¡­¡¹


    The girl returned her sight down to the hardwood below, to which the president sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± she breathed. ¡°Forgive me, that was rude. I¡¯m actually grateful you told me about the camera, now I know that things are worse than I imagined.¡±


    With solemn movements, her hand was no longer positioned over her nose, rather it slid down until it covered the entirety of her mouth. She stared at the wooden floor beneath the bookshelf, unaware of how long she stayed that way. It was only when text on a screen slid into her view that she broke from her train of thought.


    ¡¸Are¡­¡­you alright?¡¹


    Part 2


    ¡°On the first day, papa! The first day¡ª absent at a school designed specifically to help them with their future! That¡¯s not to mention some other students showing up late, and that the council consistently goes over budget; they don¡¯t care about the future otherwise they¡¯d properly distribute! I guarantee they spend the budget on themselves, can you think of anything more selfish?!¡±


    ¡°Now little rabbit, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°None of them care about the future papa, theirs or others¡¯! They¡¯re only thinking of right now, all while taking advantage of what you built!¡±


    ¡°Little rabbit¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yet¡ª and yet¡ª they still have the audacity to call us the greedy ones!?¡±


    ¡°Fuyumi!¡±


    She stopped her pacing when her father called her name. Recomposing herself, she shifted the phone to her other ear.


    ¡°Sorry papa¡­¡±


    She heard a deep, gruff sigh from the other end of the line. ¡°It¡¯s okay, but Fuyumi please remember that you must learn restraint. I hope no one heard you.¡±


    ¡°Of course not, I¡¯m on the roof. I¡¯m not careless, you know.¡±


    ¡°I know. You¡¯re mother and I raised you, after all.¡±


    Fuyumi leaned against the wall, letting the weight under her legs pull her down until she was sitting on the concrete.


    ¡°Speaking of, did you put on your sunscreen? You know you sunburn easily.¡±


    ¡°Papa,¡± bemoaned the girl.


    ¡°Sorry¡­old habits.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. Sorry for yelling, I just get frustrated with them; they curse you as the bad guy while using something you built to help them.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha,¡± howled the hardy voice. ¡°Ideals will always be attacked, little rabbit. Remember that, and you¡¯ll always know the right thing to do.¡±


    ¡°Papa, adages have never helped anyone.¡±


    ¡°Nepotism, or rather cronyism, isn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing, Fuyumi.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­huh?¡±


    ¡°Take out your handkerchief.¡±


    She did as she was instructed, careful not to dirty the snow white fabric.


    ¡°Where are you going with this?¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling that you¡¯ll find that ¡®adages¡¯ aren¡¯t as useless as you think. I hope you¡¯ll be able to meet.¡±


    ¡°Papa, I don¡¯t have the faintest clue as to what you¡¯re¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªtea¡¯s ready!¡± she heard another distant voice call on the line. She couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Tell mama I said hello.¡±


    ¡°Will do. Take care of yourself, we¡¯ll talk to you soon.¡±


    ¡°Love you papa.¡±


    ¡°Love you too, little rabbit.¡±


    The faint click of the phone let her know she was alone, all over again. She stared up at the sky, figuring that somewhere in the clouds there must be an answer as to what she should do about the school, as well as her role as president.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    She heard a distant call, but ignored it. Soon, more and more voices pitched in until a rather distasteful scream softly reached her ears. She sighed.


    ¡°If I don¡¯t look into the little things, I won¡¯t be fit to look into the big ones.¡±


    Walking towards the right side of the concrete wall, it was easy for her to prop herself up against it. Most schools had some sort of fencing around the roof, but since the area is off limits to students in the first place, one was never installed. She leaned against the concrete, taking in the picture of a girl standing over the spasming body of a boy with a foul look about him.


    ¡°What is she thinking, starting a fight like that?¡±


    For the briefest moment, Fuyumi panicked for the girl, but her composure returned just as quickly.


    ¡°She seems completely calm¡­¡­fuahh,¡± she sighed. ¡°She basically crippled a student, she¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help but feel a little bit of guilt in her stomach turning around, but it wasn¡¯t her problem to resolve.


    She touched the handkerchief in her pocket.


    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­mine.¡±

 Chapter 3 - Torque

    Part 1


    ¡°A-Actually¡­¡­umm¡­¡­¡­I-I¡ª¡± she stuttered. First impressions were critical, and though Yui knew it was an honest mistake, she didn¡¯t see a way out of this without embarrassing the boy beside her.


    ¡°Actually¡­I¡¯m¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªYuuko Asahino.¡± said the boy, raising his hand. ¡°That¡¯d be me.¡±


    Voices murmured through the columns of students as their teacher stood with mouth agape, looking back and forth from her clipboard.


    ¡°Aaaagh geez¡ª nothing ever goes right the first time around!¡±


    With a frustrated sigh, she quieted the voices in the classroom and faced her two new students with redeemed composure.


    ¡°Sorry, sorry; first week troubles and all. Won¡¯t happen again, I promise.¡±


    Yui looked to the boy beside her, but the expression on his face was difficult to read.


    ¡°REGARDLESS, you two were absent yesterday! As punishment, I¡¯ll be talking to the both of you after class, and you still need to introduce yourselves.¡± Her sudden chastising of the two caused the students to jump, including the two in front of her who gave a small bow.


    ¡°Well,¡± she huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Asahino, once again, I apologize for my carelessness. Seeing as how you already started, please continue with your self introduction.¡±


    ¡°It was a simple misunderstanding, no apology necessary.¡± the boy bowed. He turned to his classmates, a neutral expression covering his face.


    ¡°Good morning, my name is Yuuko Asahino. Though my name is a bit odd, please feel free to call me Yuuko or even just ¡®Yuu¡¯. As for something interesting about me¡­¡± He put a hand to his chin as he looked to the ceiling. ¡°I guess I really enjoy reading. Anyway, I look forward to being with everyone this year.¡±


    With that, he bowed. Slow, confused claps emanated from the students¡¯ hands, and while the pause after his words were brief, it seemed to stretch into hazy minutes. It was during this time Luka could feel the others do exactly what he was doing¡ª trying to understand the boy in front of them.


    Even before he spoke, the first thing noticeable about him were the eyes¡ª an impossibly vivid golden color, like liquid sunlight; after that¡­¡­¡­nothing. He was average in height, and the bangs of his hair parted slightly left, but nothing more. Nothing besides his eyes caused him to stand out; even his introductory speech, which was as normal as one could get, felt bland if you removed the confusion from the name.


    Luka couldn¡¯t help but feel that, compared to the Yuuko he spoke to yesterday, this was a completely different person.


    How¡­¡­does that work?


    ¡°Hmmm, keeping it simple. Not really common, but I like it; thank you Yuuko. Now then, we¡¯ll move on to you Miss¡­?¡±


    Miss Wakako gestured to the girl, who gave a small bow and paced towards the front of the class.


    ¡°Itomei. Yui Itomei,¡± the girl said, formally bowing. Murmurs much louder than last time filled the classroom, with words like ¡°cute,¡± ¡°soft,¡± and ¡°wife,¡± being thrown around; it was easy to see why. Like the boy, the most striking feature about her were the eyes¡ª iridescent like a star, if stars were as green as polished emerald.


    No¡­¡­not an emerald. It was deeper, and more reflective¡ª like an ocean.


    Maybe turquoise?


    Unlike the boy, her unique appearance didn¡¯t end there. Night black hair danced smoothly around her shoulders, reaching past her waist; tied to one side of her hair was an equally turquoise ribbon, which seamlessly complimented her small nose, lip, and chin, which appeared attractively sharp. Hardly anyone noticed the braid tied across the back of her hair, save for Luka who¡¯d seen her up close.


    If the boy Yuuko was covered in normalcy, then the girl Yui radiated elegance.


    ¡°As for something interesting about me, I enjoy writing and sewing. I¡¯m close to my grandmother, enjoy a calm atmosphere, and my favorite time of day is¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªItomei, that¡¯s where you are!¡± Miss Wakako said, knocking on the clipboard with her knuckle.


    The girl looked up in confusion. ¡°Y-Yes; did I do something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, and I¡¯m sorry to cut you off, but you¡¯re in the wrong class.¡±


    The atmosphere shattered like glass.


    ¡°The wrong¡­class?¡±


    ¡°Hmph,¡± the teacher nodded. ¡°This is class one-four, you¡¯re in one-two further down the hall. Makes sense, yesterday I heard a student was absent there too¡ª¡± Her face suddenly became covered in thick shadow, her tone distraught. ¡°¡ªmeaning my other absent student still isn¡¯t here.¡± She sounded so defeated Luka couldn¡¯t help but smile; he stood up, ready to give a speech when¡ª


    ¡°Who cares?! Let her stay here!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right that¡¯s right! I¡¯ll take Yui over that absent student any day of the week!¡±


    ¡°What they said! Besides, what if the absent student isn¡¯t a cute girl!?¡±


    The class erupted in excuses to take the green-eyed girl in front of the classroom over their mystery student, but their teacher ignored them while leading Yui to the door.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll take you there and explain our misunderstanding.¡±


    ¡°Ehh? B-But I¡¯m supposed to be with Yuu!¡± her elegant persona dropped as the teacher, ¡°let¡¯s go!¡± began dragging her.


    ¡°W-Wait a¡ªYuu! Yuu nooo!¡±


    Yuuko waved goodbye to the girl with outstretched arms who made a last ditch effort to stay by grabbing the sides of the door frame. Ultimately, however, she was dragged against her will to her correct classroom.


    Murmurs became full fledged complaints as the students spoke to one another in riled voices, at least, they were until Yuuko took his seat by the wall.


    He didn¡¯t know much about him, but Luka got the feeling Yuuko was used to a classroom staring at him.


    ¡°Are you dating that girl?¡±


    ¡°You mean if we¡¯re in a relationship?¡± he asked, removing the items from his bag.


    ¡°Obviously!¡± another student eagerly pushed. ¡°What¡¯s your status with her?! Are you dating? Have you asked her out?!¡±


    ¡°My relationship with her¡­¡­¡­I¡¯ve known her since childhood so¡ª¡±


    ¡°ALREADY!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s over!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s with some people having all the luck? It¡¯s unfair!¡±


    ¡°Idiots! Don¡¯t you know the childhood friend never wins!?¡±


    ¡°This is real life you moron!¡±


    Before he could finish his thought, a debate erupted between the students. As quickly as Yuuko was roped into the conversation, he was cast from it.


    ¡°Heh. Well, if you want my opinion then the childhood friend should always win after beating out the rest of the competition!¡±


    The group of students looked to Luka in discomfort, quickly resuming their conversation after an uncomfortable few seconds.


    ¡°W-Well it also depends on genre! If it¡¯s horror, then she gets brutally murdered! I mean how else is the main character supposed to grow, you know?¡±


    The talking became louder, as if to drown him out, but the tension was still there¡ªacknowledged or not, the student ignored the uncomfortable statement.


    ¡°Ha, or better yet¡ª¡±


    A loud rattle from the front of the classroom ended the conversation¡ª


    ¡°Sorry about the wait class! Now that we have our new student, let¡¯s get back on track. Picking up from where we left off yesterday¡­¡­¡±


    ¡ªand the faces of relief on the students couldn¡¯t have been clearer.


    Yuuko eyed the boy across the room; why would he let his mask slip so easily?


    No.


    It¡¯d be far, far more accurate to say that the boy didn¡¯t even own a mask.


    The point of a mask was to hide, to become someone else; the boy staring at the tile below seemed to not understand that. In a world full of masks, Luka Schafer chose to hide away, with eyes glued to the ground; no one would be able to see his face.


    Not even himself.


    Was¡­¡­¡­that truly such a bad thing?


    Part 2


    He felt a tap on his shoulder once the majority of the students had cleared the classroom.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    ¡°Yuuko!¡± he said to the boy pulling up an empty seat. He paused for effect, putting a heavy weight to his tone. ¡°Do tell, how was your experience? This was your first time, so surely you were nervous, heart racing, blood pumping!¡±


    ¡°When you put it like that, it sounds a bit misleading,¡± he said, scratching the back of his head. Luka¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion until¡ª


    ¡°¡ªnot like that!¡± he cried. ¡°I meant your first time in class!¡±


    ¡°Heart racing, blood pumping.¡±


    ¡°Now I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re serious or not.¡± he groaned.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t come talk to you if I weren¡¯t being serious.¡±


    Those sudden, strong words caused him to sit up straight¡ª mostly out of befuddlement.


    ¡°Serious¡­about what?¡±


    ¡°About what we talked about yesterday.¡±


    ¡°A-Ahh, I see¡­¡­truth me told, however, I¡¯m not exactly sure what the topic of conversa¡ª¡±


    ¡°Luka,¡± said the boy, leaning towards him. ¡°You haven¡¯t looked me in the eye this entire conversation.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ªthat¡¯s totally not true,¡± he said, forcing himself to look at the boy before facing the floor. Focusing on a specific tile, he used it as a mental anchor to lift himself from his desk, hurriedly packing his things. ¡°A-Anyway I should head back to the dorm; we have lots of work to do and I¡¯m not the best at studying.¡±


    He was halfway to the door when the still-seated boy called his name.


    It was just like yesterday. He didn¡¯t want to be there; he didn¡¯t want to be in the room.


    So why wouldn¡¯t his feet move?


    ¡°Luka; do you want to look at yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­don¡¯t understand what you mean.¡±


    ¡°Most people wear masks,¡± he said, rising from the desk. ¡°Sometimes, they wear it for so long, they forget how to take it off to see themselves. But you don¡¯t have that problem.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you mean!¡±


    His voice came suddenly, startling Yuuko, yet he didn¡¯t step back. No, instead he kept behind the boy¡¯s back, the boy who wouldn¡¯t turn around.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°You probably know what I mean. You want to change, but where would you even start?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I wanted to talk to you because I want to tell you where.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    The room was silent for a long time, so silent Yuuko could hear the shaking voice of the boy in front of him.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­you¡­¡­¡­don¡¯t know that. Just¡­¡­¡­leave me alo¡ª¡±


    ¡°HOOOUOH! New kid!¡±


    A boy with messy dark hair tied into a ponytail walked into the room; lazy bangs dangled over his sharp eyes as he came in with another boy through the second classroom door.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°¡®Hello¡¯?¡± he smirked. ¡°Why are you being so formal? We¡¯re in the same class, right? That makes us friends, and friends shouldn¡¯t be so uptight with each other.¡±


    ¡°Guess it¡¯s just the way I was brought up.¡±


    ¡°Sounds depressing, though it makes sense given that intro of yours. Seeing as how that¡¯s the case, let me give you some friendly advice.¡±


    The boy approached Yuuko, putting an arm around his shoulder and speaking in a voice that was obviously directed.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°You see New Kid, a community is made of like-minded people. Like-minded people work well together, they support each other, and don¡¯t try to one up each other for attention.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t think my introduction came across that way.¡±


    ¡°No no, see your introduction was simple, kind of bland, but it wasn¡¯t an outlier.¡±


    The grip around his shoulder tightened, though Yuuko got the feeling the boy wasn¡¯t doing so on purpose.


    ¡°When someone acts out from the group, they destroy the balance. Outliers like feeling special, but don¡¯t consider what it does for everyone else! As a result, the community and all its members are in disharmony, all because some BRAT wants to feel special! Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    Yuuko gave no response, staying in complete silence for a few moments before finally offering a response.


    ¡°I do; up to a certain point.¡±


    The boy gave an amused sort of sigh before pushing Yuuko away.


    ¡°Well, no one can ever agree one hundred percent on something, but as long as you don¡¯t encourage any outliers, you should get along just fine with me and everyone else in the class.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it in mind, thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± said the boy, turning to the all too quiet blonde. ¡°What do you think, ¡®Shepherd¡¯? Are all us harmonious ¡®sheep¡¯ lost causes?¡±


    No reply came from the boy.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯d have figured you¡¯d jump at the chance to talk about how normal people are. Well, it doesn''t matter. Sheep or not, they have somewhere to belong, and they always will.¡±


    With nothing left to say, he slapped the back of the boy¡¯s shoulder while calling for his friend who¡¯d been collecting his items. They were about to leave, but not before the boy looked back to Yuuko.


    ¡°You should remember our talk, it might come to save you one day. See you around, New Kid.¡±


    With that, the boy and his friend disappeared into the nearly empty halls, leaving an uncomfortably heavy feeling in the air.


    It stayed like this for a long time, neither moving for some reason; perhaps waiting for the tension in the air to dissipate, or waiting for a response from the other. Thinking this, it was Yuuko who shattered the tension in one phrase, catching Luka off guard.


    ¡°Mind if I visit your room tomorrow morning?¡±


    ¡°¡­wh¡­¡­what for?¡±


    ¡°To start.¡±


    ¡°Uaaah, s-sure?¡±


    Without missing a beat, Yuuko walked out of the room, bag against his side. He put one foot into the hall before turning back.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there early. Really early. Wear something you won¡¯t mind sweating in.¡±


    With that, he left; leaving Luka with a smile he didn¡¯t know was from pain, or amusement.


    ¡°When you put it like that,¡± he said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, ¡°it sounds misleading.¡±


    Part 3


    It was around five in the morning when Luka heard his doorknob rattling.


    At first, he thought it could¡¯ve been his dream. He willed himself to silence everything around him, a metaphorical mute button for his created world; it worked for a time, until knocks began to follow. He tried to open his eyes, but they were too heavy.


    If death is here for me, that¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll just get a bit more rest before I¡¯m taken.


    This was his thought process, more or less. He was so disoriented he didn¡¯t know if he was dying, all he knew was the allure of his dreams calling out from his mind. Accepting it¡¯s invitation, the sounds of knocking dissipated into muffled blurs, and he returned to his restful slumber.


    That is, until the piercing tapping sounds started ringing against his balcony door.


    The first came like nails on a chalkboard, his eyelids instantly flew open and he threw off the covers in disoriented rage. Another sharp *tap* sound echoed against the glass door, leading Luka to open it in a hurry. Maybe it was because he didn¡¯t have his glasses, or because he was still mildly disoriented from waking up in a hurry, but he didn¡¯t see the pebble being hurled in his direction until it struck his forehead.


    ¡°Eugorph!¡±


    ¡°Ah, sorry about that. I¡¯d already thrown it when you opened the door.¡±


    ¡°What the¡­¡± rubbing his head, Luka squinted to make out the shape of the voice in front of him.


    ¡°Is that¡­Yuuko?¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, hey, what are you¡ª¡±


    In that precise moment, the drowsiness wore off, and his eyes properly adjusted to the morning light. If it weren¡¯t for the fact he clearly woke up after getting hit, he would¡¯ve thought the scene in front of him was a dream.


    On second thought, maybe it still was.


    ¡°¡ªARE YOU ON A TREE BRANCH?¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°DON¡¯T SAY THAT SO CASUALLY!¡±


    He grabbed the railing and looked down; his room was on the second floor, meaning they were at least six meters above ground. Even so, the branch Yuuko precariously stood on seemed a bit higher than that.


    ¡°What are you doing!? Why are you on a branch!¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t answering your door.¡±


    ¡°So you decided to climb two stories and throw rocks at the glass door?!¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°DON¡¯T SAY THAT SO CASUAALLLLY!¡±


    ¡°Can we talk about this later? I¡¯m pretty sure this thing is breaking.¡±


    Luka grabbed his hair in frustration and panic as he helped the boy inside.


    A moment later, both were panting on the dorm floor due to the amount of adrenaline coursing through their veins so early in the morning.


    ¡°¡­I¡­¡­¡± huffed the boy next to him, ¡°am so sick¡­¡­¡­of climbing trees.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­¡­insane¡­¡­¡­you could¡¯ve fallen!¡­¡±


    Yuuko waved aside the comment. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I fell from that height one day when I was seven.¡±


    Luka didn¡¯t have the energy to rebuttal. But he did have the energy to think about why yesterday he seemed to be such a different person during class; yet after lessons were over he confronted him on something they spoke on before.


    He didn¡¯t understand him¡ª


    ¡°¡­do you want to see yourself?¡±


    ¡ªand worse yet, it seems that confusion was one-sided.


    ¡°So,¡± Luka said, rising from the floor. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I told you to be ready early in the morning.¡± he said, picking himself up. ¡°We¡¯re late, at this rate we won¡¯t be able to do much.¡±


    ¡°Do much of what!?¡±


    For the first time, Yuuko gave him a clear and direct answer.


    ¡°Running.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Runni¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, I heard, I¡¯m just¡­¡­¡­¡± Luka sat back down on his bed. The adrenaline started to wear down, and in replacement, a heavy feeling in his stomach grew. He knew exactly what it was, having felt it so many times before.


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡­¡­Yuuko¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­but I¡¯m alright.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re not.¡±


    Those words caused him to flare. From out of nowhere, and without warning, Luka began to shout.


    ¡°What do you know about me being alright!?¡± he accused. ¡°Is that why you came here, huh!? Is this all just some elaborate way for you to make fun of me?!¡±


    He felt awful as soon as the words left his mouth, but the boy in front of him just stared straight ahead. Silence followed, and even though Luka¡¯s anger still flared, it wasn¡¯t an awkward silence.


    It was¡­¡­¡­contemplative?


    Yuuko crossed his arms as he looked up in thought. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m doing it for a few reasons, none of them meant to make fun of you.¡± he insisted. ¡°But, if I had to name the biggest one, it¡¯d be because I¡¯m selfish.¡±


    Luka¡¯s anger quelled, replaced with bewilderment.


    ¡°Selfish?¡±


    Yuuko walked to the balcony¡¯s glass door, but didn¡¯t open it. From there, one could see a still rising sun comforting a still waking city.


    ¡°I heard something once; I think it was a dream I had when¡­¡­¡­¡­well, I heard a phrase. ¡®Move yourself, and move others.¡¯ Maybe that¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to do; under the influence of someone, I¡¯ve been trying to go back to my ideal.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­it can be a bit hard to keep up with him, but that just means he isn¡¯t bothering to put on a mask around you.¡±


    ¡°At the time, the ideal wasn¡¯t very realistic¡­¡­no; it¡¯d be more accurate to say I didn¡¯t even have one, at least not set in stone. That¡¯s why I want to reach it now. Being realistic about my ideal¡­¡­¡­if I do that, I might be able to reach it.¡±


    ¡°Under the influence of someone¡­¡­¡­is that Yui?¡±


    He gave Luka no verbal answer, but it was enough.


    When he turned, at that very moment the rays of the morning light illuminated the back of his person, making his faint smile that much harder to see. It wasn¡¯t a reassuring smile, it was more like the one he saw the day he went to his apartment.


    No, just similar.


    Even Luka could tell there wasn¡¯t a trace of happiness to it.


    So what kind of smile was it?


    ¡°It¡¯s not possible to change yourself in one day, Luka. But one day is a good place to start.¡±


    With those words, he mentioned something about trying one more time tomorrow. He didn¡¯t fully pay attention, because the words still echoed in his mind.


    ¡°One day is a good place to start.¡±


    He layed back down, but wasn¡¯t tired and couldn¡¯t go back to sleep even if he tried. He didn¡¯t want to.


    He didn¡¯t know how long he stayed there, but enough time passed to where the sun struck his eye.


    With that, he got up, and began preparing his things for the day.


    Part 4


    There were times he still tried telling himself the isolation didn¡¯t bother him; sometimes it worked.


    He would talk to himself about how none of the people around him had gone through what he had, leaving their homes, taking a journey. They didn¡¯t know what it was like to be ostracized, and that clearly put him above their level.


    They were lies, of course. He knew they were.


    What Ryu had mentioned to Yuuko the day prior, he had no rebuttal against it. He was an outsider, he knew that, but there was no other way to get rid of the pain in his chest without becoming a black sheep. In the end, he understood what he¡¯d done¡ª he¡¯d traded in one type of pain for another.


    But, at the very least, this pain was something he could choose. Unlike the last, which felt like a gaping hole in his head and chest, this pain felt melancholic. He had a say in which type he could feel; without becoming the black sheep, the gaping emptiness, the pain he had no say in, would¡¯ve stayed.


    When Luka walked down the stairs from his dorm to the ground floor, he felt out of breath. His body suddenly felt so much heavier than he felt it needed to be, and the reason was obvious. When he traded in the gaping emptiness for a melancholic anchor, it came with another drawback. It¡¯s not like he noticed the weight gain, he just looked in the mirror one day and didn¡¯t like who stared back.


    Ever since that day, he tried not looking in the mirror; instead, he hoped everything would return to normal. And the days passed, yet nothing changed.


    Then again, he never really tried to change anything.


    He hoped the problem would go away on its own, that with time his habits of eating comfort food and staying locked inside would yield results. And they never did.


    Similarly, just like the weight gain, he didn¡¯t notice when he¡¯d started avoiding the topic of his health in general. He got himself becoming angry when it got brought up in an anime or novel or movie; of course he wanted to look the same way the heroes in those stories did, but it was easier to just let it go. It was easier to tell himself that his suffering separated him from others.


    Then a boy he hardly knew crashed onto his dorm floor, telling him he wanted to help because of his own selfish ideal.


    And before that, a girl he hardly knew saved him from his bully, which had wounded his pride much more than he thought it would¡ª mostly because he was surprised he still had any left.


    This morning had done something similar to him, pride he didn¡¯t even know was still there became wounded. And it made him furious. Irate. Enraged.


    He wanted to shout; to hit something, someone. Throw his books on the floor, break his table while the tears blinded him.


    He wanted to cry for stooping so low. He wanted to scream that he hated himself, but couldn¡¯t find it in him to change. He wanted to sob on the floor and say that he¡¯s selfish too; selfish for not wanting to work for what he wanted to change about himself. Selfish for doing what he¡¯d done to his friend Ryu years ago; starting this whole cycle of bullying in the first place.


    Selfish.


    And remembering these things that happened just this morning, to his surprise, the tiniest bubble of pride welled inside him for not doing so.


    Maybe it was the midday scenery on the rooftop. Maybe it was because, for the first time since school started, he avoided eating his usual lunch of sugared cakes and comfort food. More than anything though, Luka knew it was because he let those feelings of frustration course right through him like a river.


    He didn¡¯t act on any of those impulses. Though he wanted to punch the concrete beneath him, he didn¡¯t; though he wanted to shout at the top of his lungs, he wouldn¡¯t.


    Those bitter feelings clung to him still, but for the first time, he found it in him to do something about them. Yuuko had seen right through Luka, even when he wouldn¡¯t see himself.


    He didn¡¯t want to let this chance, this one last opportunity, go to waste.


    So when Luka returned home that evening after school, he clung to that frustrated memory. When he chose to make a semi-healthy dinner, he clenched his fist in anger.


    And when Yuuko knocked on the door early that next morning, Luka was quick to answer.


    ¡°That was fast.¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡­it wasn¡¯t.¡±


    The boy looked confused for only a moment before nodding, motioning his hand for his friend to follow.


    Part 5


    ¡°DAMMIT!¡±


    He screamed as much as one could when out of breath. He stomped on the rubber track, the rebound hurting his foot and causing his already wounded pride to fall even more.


    ¡°No one ever starts at the level they want. It takes time.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it!¡± said the boy drenched in sweat. ¡°I was ready to change, I was ready to get my pride hurt, but not like this!¡±


    ¡°It takes time.¡±


    ¡°Look!¡± he said, pointing behind him.


    It wasn¡¯t hard to see why the boy was disappointed. They¡¯d barely started jogging along the school¡¯s track when, just a fourth of the way through, Luka had already fallen out of breath.


    ¡°That¡¯s the most pathetic run I¡¯ve ever seen in my life!¡±


    He sat on the grass to one side, calming his heavy lungs. He felt he was suffocating, the heat produced by his own body making him dizzy; he could faint any minute. He couldn¡¯t help but think, however, that through all this he at least made for good entertainment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know why I came out here.¡±


    ¡°Yes you do, and it¡¯s not for them.¡±


    Luka knew he was referring to the same thing he was seeing; two students off in the distance snickering at the boy heaving like a fish out of water.


    ¡°If the people around worry you, tomorrow we¡¯ll run outside the school.¡±


    ¡°Right, that way the whole city can laugh at me instead.¡±


    Immediately, he felt a sharp, stinging pain from the back of his head. Grabbing it, he looked up at the boy who now stood beside him.


    ¡°The outlier of the story wanting to stay hidden; it¡¯s not too often you hear something like that.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­nothing. Nevermind.¡±


    Yuuko scratched the back of his head before speaking. ¡°Still, I know a place where we can go.¡±


    ¡°Yuuko, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°One day.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I told you I¡¯d tell you where to start, and that¡¯s exactly where. One day. If people laughed at us, or pitied us, that¡¯s fine, but you don¡¯t change by stopping. Today was one day, and it was a good place to start.¡±


    Luka didn¡¯t quite know how to respond to that; in fact, he still had a difficult time talking to the boy in general. It wasn¡¯t like it was hard to talk to him, per say, but it¡¯s like he chose his words so carefully, like he¡¯s writing a storybook.


    It¡¯s different from someone like him, who only acts like someone from those stories.


    ¡°GAH¡ª!¡± The boy furiously rubbed the back of his head, glaring at the boy next to him. ¡°Why do you keep hitting the back of my head!?¡±


    ¡°Cause you keep looking down.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª!¡±


    It happened again.


    What could he say to something like that?


    Again, he¡¯s seeing through him.


    He¡¯d always noticed himself doing so, but it was akin to a person being aware of their breathing.


    ¡°I¡­¡­does it matter?¡±


    ¡°Of course it does.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Cause you can¡¯t see where you¡¯re going by looking down.¡±


    Hesitantly, he took the outstretched hand of the boy. He thought it was an offer to help him off the ground, and it was, but as soon as he was on his feet he felt an odd texture in the palm of his hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°A seed.¡±


    ¡°Why would you give me a seed?¡±


    ¡°Plant it.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Cause it¡¯ll take time.¡±


    He was about to ask whether he was referring to Luka or the plant, but the words died in his throat when he realized the metaphor.


    ¡°Do you know how to?¡±


    ¡°Of course I know how, it¡¯s how I used to help my parents out back home.¡±


    ¡°By planting?¡±


    ¡°Something like that,¡± he said, pocketing the seed. ¡°Does this mean we¡¯re trying again tomorrow?¡±


    Yuuko patted his shoulder, which he forgot was still wet with sweat. Not-so-discreetly wiping it away, he gave him a thumbs up before the both of them returned to the dorm to prepare for morning classes.


    As they reached the dorm, however¡ª


    ¡°Heh?¡±


    ¡ªthe key Luka inserted twirled around the lock with zero resistance.


    ¡°How did¡­? Why¡ª?¡±


    All of a sudden, a certain noise returned to his memory.


    ¡°Yuuko, that rattling from yesterday morning¡ª did you try picking the lock?¡±


    ¡°Aha,¡± he humorlessly said, scratching his head. ¡°Yeah, turns out it¡¯s actually pretty hard to pick a lock. I¡¯m sorry about that.¡±


    Luka stood there for a few seconds before¡ª


    ¡°Pff¡­¡­pfffpffftahaha¡­¡­¡­aaahahahaha!¡±


    ¡ªbursting into laughter.


    ¡°Yu-Yuuk¡ªYuuaahahaha!¡±


    ¡°W-I mean it¡¯s hard picking a lock. I tried looking up a guide online, but they made it difficult to follow with talks about ¡®pins¡¯ and ¡®torques¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Ahahahahahaha! N-No I ju¡ªI-I thought you were the type to be good at everything, you know?¡±


    ¡°Ahh, that¡¯s definitely not true.¡±


    ¡°That reminds me,¡± he said, opening the door. ¡°Tomorrow, I want to show you something cool.¡±


    Part 6


    ¡°But why here? There¡¯s nothing particularly noteworthy.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. He just said, ¡®Bring Yui and meet me by the school¡¯s north stairs.¡¯¡±


    ¡°Maybe he wants your advice on something?¡±


    ¡°Or yours.¡±


    ¡°Oh Yuu, you flatter me so,¡± she said, fluttering her eyelashes.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even say anything.¡± he exasperated.


    When he looked back to her, Yui¡¯s head had tilted in his direction.


    ¡°You¡­¡± he looked around them before continuing. ¡°You want to do it here? Now?¡±


    ¡°What? There¡¯s no one around and Luka should arrive by the time we¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°I just¡­¡­¡­haven¡¯t you gotten over it yet?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± she spoke with an accusatory glare. ¡°Need I remind you it¡¯s your fault I¡¯m like this? Take responsibility for your actions.¡±


    ¡°Yui, it¡¯s just that I¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡­Yuu¡­¡­¡± she said in a tone completely different from just a few moments ago. ¡°Please¡­? I feel anxious without it, and we¡¯re not in a place we can be alone.¡±


    He sighed through his nose, but couldn¡¯t help a faint smile. She was right, it was Yuuko who had begun the ritual, he had a responsibility to continue it. Especially if it was for her sake.


    Making sure no one else was around, he gently began rubbing the top of Yui¡¯s head. He could hear her soft giggles as she braced her clenched hands against her chest, savoring the feelings of warmth spreading from the top of her head to the tips of her feet.


    The two stayed like that, with Yuuko tenderly, and forcefully, caressing the top of her head. Yui felt the boy in front of her was about to say something, but they heard footsteps quickly approaching and returned to more normal positions.


    ¡°My friends,¡± said an out of breath blonde boy. ¡°I thank you¡­¡­for taking the journey¡­¡­to¡­¡­¡­anyway, you guys are going to love this.¡±


    ¡°Luka, I¡¯m glad you invited us for lunch, but what exactly is ¡®this¡¯?¡±


    With another deep breath, the boy sprinted up the short stub of stairs behind them and removed two metal rectangles from his pocket, one of them ending in a sharp angle and the other having grooves.


    ¡°Yuuko, my young apprentice, would you care to explain or shall I?¡±


    ¡°Young¡­apprentice?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­¡­accidentally broke the lock to his dorm trying to pick it.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡­what?¡±


    ¡°Haha! Indeed! And so, I¡¯m returning the favor to our dear Yuu-boy by teaching him how to pick locks!¡±


    ¡°Yuu-boy!¡± she said, hitting his shoulder, ¡°you should know better than to break peoples¡¯ things!¡±


    ¡°W-where did that nickname come from all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°Still,¡± Yui said, leaning in closer. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you know how to lockpick.¡±


    ¡°Hmphmph; Yui, I am a master of many arts, skilled in the ways of prestidigitation! Yuu-boy will undoubtedly pick up a skill or two from being my apprentice!¡±


    ¡°Prestidigitation?¡±


    ¡°Indeed!¡­¡­I¡¯m not quite sure what it means¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°No seriously, Yuu-boy? Eh?¡±


    Yui seemed to be the first to gain a sense of normalcy from the situation. ¡°Wait, you two! Going up to the rooftop is against school rules, we could get into trouble!¡±


    ¡°Precisely why there are no cameras around to observe us Miss Yui!¡± Both of them looked around while Luka continued working, and it seemed he was right. There wasn¡¯t a single camera in sight. ¡°If we stay away from the roof¡¯s edges, indeed, there shan¡¯t be a soul to spot us.¡±


    ¡°Luka, I still think¡ª¡±


    She stopped her sentence when something nudged her arm. To her right, Yuuko was giving her the slimist of nods; though she didn¡¯t know what he was thinking, she knew him well enough to understand his theory.


    ¡°There¡¯s something he wants to talk about in private.¡±


    Still, why the roof?


    She had an idea of that also.


    Because, for the moment, that¡¯s the type of person Luka is. The only place he could talk.


    The boy beamed as he swung open the door with fervor, but hesitated the moment sunlight struck their bodies. It wasn¡¯t until Yui saw a small finger touch the back of his head, that he raised his eyes, looking back to them with a faint smile.


    ¡°Say,¡± she asked the both of them to their surprise. ¡°Are you both free this Saturday?¡±

 Intermission II

    Part 1


    The midday sky had been somewhat clouded last time she was on the roof; not necessarily dull, but there was plenty of shade in the passing clouds that afforded Fuyumi the chance to be less guarded. She quickly learned her lesson when, later that evening, her forearms burned at the softest breeze passing by.


    ¡°Papa warned me,¡± she said, reprimanding herself. ¡°But I really thought I¡¯d put on enough¡­¡­¡±


    The afternoon sky this time held no such mercy, the sun being free to punish her as it saw fit. Had she not carried her parasol, on top of applying her normal amount of sunscreen, she wouldn¡¯t be able to enjoy the scenery around her, a sight only the school¡¯s roof was able to gift.


    From the middle of the rooftop, she could see the vast school grounds¡ª the track, baseball field, tennis courts, even the view of the city a little ways off in the distance. She wanted to move closer to the edge, but given her¡­¡­¡­shorter-than-average height, a strong enough breeze could cause her to stumble.


    It was a rare moment she could clear her mind from her daily troubles, but the creaking sound of a door opening behind her shifted her thoughts back to the situation at hand.


    She sighed.


    ¡°Students are forbidden from entering the rooftop, but I¡¯ve already told you I¡¯ll make an exception.¡±


    A bespeckled girl with thick eyebrows and wavy red hair crawled away from the door and approached the council president; her dawdling steps and nervous expression, however, told Fuyumi she needed further reassurance.


    ¡°Is this your first time on top on any sort of rooftop?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°I see. Apologies for making you come out here, especially so soon after class; it just helps clear my mind.¡±


    The girl gave a nod of understanding, and her expression seemed to soften a bit, she figured it was time to talk to her about the request she¡¯d asked of her.


    ¡°Were you able to find her?¡±


    Hana¡¯s eyes widened a bit as she hurriedly nodded her head, searching her bag for a familiar black object and handing it to the girl. Switching the parasol to her right hand, she took the camera with her left and began scrolling through the various images.


    ¡°Ohhh I see I see; you¡¯re quite the hard one to find Ms. Absentee. To think you¡¯d be cutting class so close to the school.¡±


    Turning on her heel, Fuyumi looked to the west of the school grounds; there, technically within school property, was a steep, verdant hill with concrete steps leading to a nearby temple. In the pictures, Fuyumi could see an athletic, tan looking girl with relatively short hair tossing paper planes from the top of those steps.


    As she turned back to return the camera, Fuyumi was met with a different piece of technology, bold text filling its luminous screen.


    ¡¸Who..exactly is she..?¡¹


    Fuyumi sighed, though it sounded more from frustration at dealing with the mystery girl rather than the question.


    ¡°I guess I didn¡¯t give you much context when I asked if you could keep an eye out for students with her description. That girl is from class one-four; the teacher, Miss Wakako, told me there¡¯s a student who hasn¡¯t been present since the year started.¡±


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Hana¡¯s eyes went wide, though oddly it was from mentioning the specific class rather than the mention of her consistent absence.


    ¡°Ordinarily she¡¯d have her scholarship rescinded and expulsion would follow soon after, but her situation is so unique that I¡¯ve had to personally look into it.


    ¡¸Unique¡­?¡¹


    Fuyumi waved aside the written question. ¡°Trust me, it¡¯s not worth getting into, but I do appreciate the help. I¡¯m technically the only member of the student council right now, so I really appreciate the assistance.¡±


    ¡¸Oh¡­¡­I¡¯m sorry to hear¡­can I do anything else..?¡¹


    When she read that, Fuyumi¡¯s face became sympathetic.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to burden you with problems that aren¡¯t yours, but I appreciate the offer.¡±


    Hana quickly pulled back her phone, typing at speeds so incredible Fuyumi read it only a moment later.


    ¡¸It¡¯s no burden at all!¡¹


    She shook her head. ¡°Hana, thank you, but it¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡¸No burden at all!¡¹ she typed, aggressively shoving the phone in her face.


    ¡°I just mean that¡ª¡±


    ¡¸NO BURDEN!¡¹


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡¸I SAID NO BURDEN!!¡¹


    ¡°Okay okay, I get it I get it, it¡¯s no burden,¡± she said, holding up her hands and backing up several paces. ¡°But is there a reason you¡¯re so insistent on helping?¡±


    Hana opened her mouth to speak, but a stub of noise was the only thing to escape. Looking to her toes, she fidgeted her phone before methodically typing out a response.


    ¡¸It¡¯s because¡­¡­if it¡¯s okay, I would like your help with something as well¡­¡¹


    After reading those last words, Fuyumi *hmmmph!* stomped her foot in what seemed like an exaggerated gesture. ¡°Hana, if you want my help with something then just say so! You don¡¯t have to help me to ask for a favor!¡±


    ¡¸I¡¯m¡­¡­sorry. I thought¡­¡­that¡¯s what people do¡­¡¹


    ¡°It is,¡± she sighed, ¡°but to tell you the truth I¡¯m sick of it. I grew up seeing that sort of thing in my father¡¯s business, it¡¯s hard enough finding genuine altruism nowadays.¡±


    The girl was shaking from the reprimand, but Fuyumi stomped her foot once more ducked down to meet the girl¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I want you to ask me this favor! Because that¡¯s what it means to help people, as both president and a friend!!¡±


    ¡¸A¡­¡­a friend?¡¹


    A more gentle sigh escaped her lips. The chagrin Fuyumi had moments ago was soon replaced with an uncertain, but genuine, smile.


    ¡°I get the feeling neither of us is very experienced in this sort of thing, but¡­¡­yes. Like a friend; no quid pro quo needed.¡±


    With an equally awkward smile, Hana began typing.


    ¡¸Then, could you please spare some advice?¡¹


    ¡°The favor you wanted is advice?¡± she blinked in confusion. ¡°Umm, sure, I¡¯d be happy to help with what I ca¡ªaahhh¡ªare you okay?!¡±


    She was so busy reading in confusion that she didn¡¯t notice Hana¡¯s burning face until it was as red as her hair.


    ¡¸Sorry, you¡¯re right, I¡¯m not good at this!¡¹


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, no need to push yourself¡­¡±


    ¡¸No, it¡¯s something I really need to know, but it¡¯s embarrassing so please don¡¯t laugh!¡¹


    ¡°No, of course not, I won¡¯t laugh.¡±


    She could see the difficulty Hana was having in typing due to her fingers¡¯ refusal to stop trembling. Eventually, she finished, and hesitantly turned the screen while covering her face with her free hand.


    ¡¸How¡­¡­would you express your feelings of admiration for someone?¡¹


    ¡°Feelings of¡­¡­like, through a letter?¡±


    ¡¸I¡­¡­think so¡­¡­¡­¡¹


    ¡°You know, I recently found a love letter on my desk in the council room; that wasn¡¯t you was it?¡±


    ¡¸NO!!¡¹


    ¡°I know I know, just kidding.¡± she laughed. Afterwards she put a finger to her cheek and looked at the sky from below her parasol. ¡°I think it depends. Writing one for a family member is easier than writing one to a total stranger after all.¡±


    She looked back down as she asked. ¡°Who¡¯s it for?¡±


    ¡¸Someone¡­in my class I really admire. I think he¡¯s a little sad so I wanted to write something to him¡­¡­¡­to let him know¡­my feelings¡­¡­and to let him know he¡¯s not alone¡­¡¹


    ¡°Ohhhh,¡± Fuyumi said, slyly crouching and putting a hand to her lips. ¡°This sounds more like a confession you know.¡±


    Surprisingly, the redhead didn¡¯t write a message; she instead furiously waved her arms back and forth while violently denying the claim by shaking her head.


    ¡°Calm down,¡± she said, lowering the girl¡¯s arms. ¡°I¡¯m honored you asked me something that means so much to you, I¡¯d be happy to help.¡±


    The girl¡¯s intensity immediately quelled, replaced now with a look of absolute relief, tinted with a little joy.


    As Fuyumi motioned for them to return, the tap on her shoulder caused her to look back.


    ¡¸What about the other student you needed help with?¡¹


    ¡°Oh,¡± Fuyumi said, her expression dampening. ¡°There are¡­¡­only rumors about what the girl is doing, and the exact student isn¡¯t known, but even so¡­¡±


    Hana¡¯s expression was painted in worry before Fuyumi reassured her.


    ¡°But hey, that¡¯s not something to worry about right now! We need to buy you a template card to create your letter!¡±


    With those words, Fuyumi closed her parasol and entered the school once more.

 Chapter 4 - Behind the Mirror

    Part 1


    ¡°Shut up just SHUT the FUCK up!¡±


    The chair practically flipped backwards with how forcefully the boy lunged at him. He hardly had time to react before he got shoved against the chalkboard, a forearm held firm against his jugular.


    His vision began to blur and his hands moved on instinct, desperately clawing at the fabric on the uniform¡¯s cuffs; he felt himself reach through, to the boy¡¯s skin, but inky, slippery liquid covered his fingers and made it difficult to get through.


    Breathing was no use, it felt like there was a plug in his throat¡ª the adam¡¯s apple maybe? Either way, it pushed further into his neck, causing dots, both black and colorful, to dance across his vision. He could feel the oxygen in his lungs burn, he could feel himself fading¡ª in a last ditch effort he pushed against the boy¡¯s face with everything he had clawing at anything he could touch; he must¡¯ve hit something, because he heard the boy curse, and what little restraint he showed, left as the student pressed the entirety of his body forward.


    The pressure swelled, his body was going limp. He could feel blood nearly burst from his eyes and he¡¯d long since lost control of his mouth, only faintly aware of the saliva dripping down the side of his chin; at that moment, the pressure erupted upward, into his brain.


    It hurt, it hurt so much. He just wanted the pain to stop.


    He wanted it all to stop.


    But that was a lie; because he started it.


    If he died, would the pain go away?


    As his arms slipped down to his sides, he couldn¡¯t help but think¡­¡­


    ¡°¡­¡­which¡­¡­¡­am I talking about?¡±


    At that instant, a car sped in front of him, and both he, and the student, collapsed like ragdolls.


    Barely conscious, he looked up through bloodshot eyes to see¡ª


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡­are you doing to my friend?¡±


    ¡ªa boy with long, unkempt hair.


    ¡°Oh¡­it just¡­¡­felt like one¡­¡­¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t have the strength to pick himself up, in fact, he only had the willpower to barely cling onto his consciousness.


    ¡°Ahh, damn,¡± said the boy, rising from the ground. He used his hand to move his jaw from side to side, as though realigning a piece of machinery. ¡°You ever heard of pulling your punches, Ryu?¡±


    ¡°What, in the hell, were you doing?¡±


    The handful of students in the now-empty classroom couldn¡¯t help but move away from the boy, even though he was meters away; they couldn¡¯t help but think it was a good thing his hair covered his eyes.


    Because, from tone alone, it was clear his feelings went beyond anger.


    The boy looked to one side while giving his reply. ¡°I was doing you a favor. You should be grateful this piece of trash will be going back home.¡±


    Saying those words had the same effect as throwing gasoline on a fire. Ryu bent his knees, ready to charge at the boy in front of him; in fact, he¡¯d actually already started moving, but a faint grip on the cloth against his legs stopped him.


    Sprawled against the filthy tiles, the blonde boy¡¯s grip around the cloth of his leg tightened.


    Shock came before the anger, but only for a moment as he clenched his jaw so hard there was an audible pop. He turned to the rest of them, uttering a simple phrase through bared teeth.


    ¡°Leave.¡±


    And they did.


    One by one, the handful of students left the classroom, some muttering to each other, some showing each other the videos captured on their phones, but only the student Ryu punched said anything to him. As he approached the door, he turned back¡ª


    ¡°¡ªyou¡¯re making a mistake. You think he cares about you but he doesn''t; the ones like him, the ones that think they¡¯re above the rest of us? They¡¯re the ones that care about you the least.¡±


    ¡°I told you to leave.¡±


    ¡°And I told you that they¡¯re the types who¡¯ll abandon you, Ryu. No one else would be willing to go to the lengths I did to help you.¡±


    Even saying it from a distance, he could feel the anger directed towards him. For the first time that evening, he saw the boy¡¯s eyes¡ª sharp, like broken glass. He heaved a heavy sigh, grabbing the door frame as he uttered his final words.


    ¡°Just¡­¡­¡­please remember our talk. It might come to save you one day. See you around.¡±


    With that, the two were finally alone. Ryu walked into the hallway, looking from side to side to make sure they were gone before¡ª


    ¡°What is WRONG with you!?¡±


    ¡ªgrabbing his friend by the collar and sitting him in a chair.


    Though he wasn¡¯t fully back in his five senses, some of the red had left his eyes and he could breathe a little more, though it sounded ragged.


    ¡°They were¡­¡­¡­under control of nefarious spiri¡ª¡±


    ¡°LUKA!¡± shouted the boy, grabbing his clothes again. ¡°Enough of this! Quit acting like this and come back to your old self! What is this ¡®nefarious spirit¡¯ talk?! Quit acting like a chuunibyou, quit acting like life is one of your anime cause it¡¯s not!¡±


    ¡°My friend, your concern is not unfounded, but I¡ª¡±


    ¡°YOU¡¯LL END UP DEAD AT THIS RATE!¡±


    There was a tension to the air that came from those words. By themselves, they weren¡¯t anything special; it was something that could be said by someone playing a game, or by actors in a movie, but in this situation they caused tension to spread into the air.


    And the reason was because it was most likely true.


    ¡°You¡­¡­¡­wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me! Tell me why you started wrapping bandages around your arms! Tell me why you started talking like a third-grade storybook character! Tell me why you snitched on our classmates and got them expelled! Tell me!¡±


    The blonde boy went limp as Ryu continued to shake him.


    ¡°Luka!¡± he cried. ¡°Luka!¡±


    Part 2


    ¡°Luka?¡± asked the girl beside him. ¡°What are you looking at?¡±


    ¡°Huh? O-Oh, sorry,¡± he said, thrusting his hands in his pockets. ¡°Umm, nothing; it¡¯s just that these clothes made me remember something.¡±


    She looked at the clothes being displayed through the glass. It was an outfit which consisted of an uncomfortably high number of belts and bandages, Yui couldn¡¯t imagine that anyone would be comfortable wearing something like that.


    ¡°You wore those kinds of clothes?¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ª? N-No! I did a lot of things when I was younger, but I never got into cosplay.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡­¡­you stopped in front of a cosplay store.¡±


    ¡°Because the outfit made me remember something that happened when I was younger!¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡­if it made you remember something that happened when you were younger¡­¡­and it¡¯s in a cosplay store¡­wouldn¡¯t that mean¡­?¡±


    He sighed in defeat. Her conclusion was logically sound but he wasn¡¯t in the mood to explain.


    ¡°Anyway, where¡¯s Yuuko? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to meet us here by now?¡±


    ¡°Ahhaha,¡± she said, scratching the top of her head. ¡°About that, he told me that we should go on ahead, he¡¯ll catch up with us as soon as he can.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡­¡­is he busy with something?¡±


    ¡°Yes and the reason bothers me.¡± she whispered, clenching her fist to her blouse.


    ¡°Did you say something?¡±


    ¡°Not a thing; now come on! I told you our purpose for today and we¡¯re not going to find clothes in a cosplay store.¡± she motioned for him to follow, and he followed closely behind.


    The feeling of deja-vu struck him as he walked a little ways behind her; last time they¡¯d only walked on the outskirts of the city, reasonable given that at the time they were going to visit Yuuko¡¯s dorm room, but this time they were venturing into the dead center of the city.


    Named ¡®Mirror Mall¡¯ for both its proximity to the school and the fact it was full of students on the weekend¡ª it was modern, elegant, and absolutely enormous. In fact, it was less a mall and more a maze-like collection of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The cosplay store he found was only at one of its many entrances, and if you knew where to look, there was almost nothing you couldn¡¯t find.


    In this case, their goal was to find new clothes for Yui; he couldn¡¯t imagine why she¡¯d need them, her casual clothes were incredible. She was wearing a lacy white blouse beneath a pale blue jacket that clung lazily over her shoulders. Her skirt was on the longer side, reaching her shins, but it went well with the black boots she wore on top of the white ribbon dangling on the side of her hair.


    By contrast, his own outfit was¡­¡­¡­stereotypical. An oversized, dark orange hoodie with blue jeans and sneakers; to say he felt out of place walking alongside her, or even behind her, was an understatement.


    And speaking of what one could find¡ª


    ¡°¡ªYui,¡± he said, quickening his pace to speak at a low volume, ¡°if we¡¯re finding clothes for you, wouldn¡¯t it be better¡­for¡­¡­I mean, you know, for you to have other people?¡±


    She paused and looked curiously at him. ¡°But you are other people.¡±


    He could feel his cheeks flush. ¡°No, I mean¡­¡­like¡­¡­¡­other¡­¡­¡­you know, people that you could show.¡±


    She snapped her finger in realization. ¡°Ohhhh, you mean other girls!¡±


    He quickly tried shushing her, semi-aware of the looks people were giving them.


    ¡°Y-Yeah, I guess¡­¡­or like, you know¡­¡­¡­Yuuko?¡±


    He didn¡¯t know what he said, but her eyebrow twitched when he mentioned the name. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you worry about him, Luka. He¡¯ll see my outfits¡ª all of them. One way or another. All of them.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know why she repeated that twice, but she resumed walking with Luka needing to jog to catch up. As he studied her, a sudden thought crossed his mind of her showing off all sorts of dresses¡­¡­gowns¡­¡­¡­maybe even¡ª


    ¡ªno no no no WAY! I thought about this the first time we met too! She¡¯s taken, she has Yuuko!


    He violently nodded his head, confirming his own thoughts.


    That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right! I can¡¯t do that to him, she¡¯s his¡ª!


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡­¡­¡­his¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    His what?


    He pressed the palm of his hand against his temple.


    What¡­¡­¡­are they?


    No, more than that, what did he know about them?


    Just what did he know about the people who¡¯ve been helping him?


    The first day they met, Yui had saved him from Ryu and his friends; after just the first day, Yui understood that he had a problem with the other students. Yet what did he know about her? He knew that her mom was foreign, and from her class introduction knew simple things like the fact she liked writing.


    Writing? Just what did she write? Not just that, where did she come from? She¡¯s half foreign, so was she born here? Is that how she knows Yuuko?


    And Yuuko.


    Just a few days later, Yuuko began helping lose weight, even after his outburst, even after Luka accused him of faking his desire to help.


    No. No no no it was more than that. Somehow, it was especially Yuuko that understood Luka as a person. From their simple conversations, he¡¯d been able to extract so much about him; in their first conversation he was able to get him to admit he had problems with himself. What could he say about Yuuko? That he enjoyed reading? From their run, he mentioned cooking when he was a child, and from their conversation in his room, he mentioned an ideal.


    What was, what is, his ideal?


    Those words.


    ¡°You think he cares about you but he doesn''t; the ones like him, the ones that think they¡¯re above the rest of us? They¡¯re the ones that care about you the least.¡±


    Are they true?


    And if they are¡­¡­¡­was Ryu right to do what he did?


    These past two years, had he really been that selfish?


    ¡°Yui,¡± he said, suddenly stopping.


    The girl with a white ribbon running down the side of her hair looked back to the boy who called.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? We need to hurry or we¡¯re going to miss¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just what are you and Yuuko, exactly?¡±


    Her expression immediately changed; her eyes narrowed in interest at the question.


    ¡°What a sudden thing to ask, however do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Yui¡­¡­¡­are you and him¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­are you guys¡­¡­¡± the words caught in his throat, and something completely different came out. ¡°How do you know each other?¡±


    Yui let out a half-amused giggle before tilting her head up, looking to the glass that covered the roof, giving the people below an open view of the sky above.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s quite a story, one for another day. But if I had to give an answer,¡± she said, lowering her head, ¡°it¡¯d be because he was selfish.¡±


    His own eyes went wide, and though she was already turning around, he called out once more. ¡°Are you two dating?¡±


    He surprised himself. He didn¡¯t think he¡¯d be able to ask such an embarrassing question to a girl like her, but even so, she turned around once more.


    ¡°What did you just dooooo!?¡±


    It had been a while since his internal voice spoke.


    Don¡¯t blame me! You want to know too, don¡¯t you?


    ¡°Ask about what she meant by selfish, you socially stunted shut-in!¡±


    Asking would be selfish cause I¡¯d be talking about myself again! I want to know more about them!


    ¡°Are you retarded?!¡±


    Can¡¯t you just give me a break for once!?


    ¡°I¡¯m you, if you wanted it then I would!¡±


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I¡ª!


    He stopped. The world continued spinning around them, people walked, music played, but Luka stopped because Yui¡¯s eyes continued to narrow until a smug smile spread across her face.


    That was the last expression he expected, but, somehow her eyes¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­looked so happy.


    Was it the morning sun making them so bright?


    ¡°Speaking of,¡± she said, approaching him, ¡°he told me you agreed to be his running partner, it was nice of you to do that for him.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡­uhh¡­¡­¡­I don¡¯t think that¡¯s accurate, but at the same time it¡¯s not untrue¡­¡­¡­¡±


    He looked to one side as he spoke, unable to look at her because of the question he¡¯d just asked. That, and he wasn¡¯t used to having any girl approach him. After a few seconds of silence, he looked to her


    ¡°That¡¯s the place.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡± he said, turning around to see what she¡¯d been staring at, but it just looked like a generic store, nothing special about it at all.


    ¡°Right¡­¡­umm¡­¡­¡­do they sell clothes for girls there?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate the things you can find in a casual store!¡±


    She motioned for him to follow, and as they were about to enter, Luka hesitated.


    ¡°¡­it¡¯d be because he was selfish.¡±


    If even someone like Yuuko was selfish¡­¡­¡­then there¡¯s hope for someone like himself, right?


    ¡°They¡¯re the ones that care about you the least.¡±


    He pressed his head against his temple to steady the sudden dizziness.


    But if he is changing¡­¡­this time¡­¡­¡­what kind of person is he trying to become?


    *   *   *   *   *


    ¡°It¡¯s been forever since I last went shopping, how about you?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­¡­¡­probably a few weeks.¡±


    ¡°Really? What¡¯d you buy?¡±


    He began sweating bullets.


    ¡°Well, you know, just ties and stuff for school.¡±


    Of course that was a lie.


    He still remembered waking up his first day of school, feeling the immense disappointment from the new pair of pants he¡¯d brought, not fitting him past the thigh. There was no way he could talk about that with Yui.


    The shop around them didn¡¯t exactly help. He scanned the entire store, and none of them seemed to have the types of clothes Yui would wear; in fact, most seemed geared towards males. He didn¡¯t know why, but he was beginning to feel an odd amount of pressure.


    ¡°Ohh, ties, how modern! Anything else you like wearing? Do you have a fashion preference?¡±


    ¡°N-Not really¡­¡­¡­¡±


    Of course he didn¡¯t have one. When he was a child, fashion wasn¡¯t important, but as the years passed it became clear he was far behind his classmates in that area, and the answer as to why just struck him one day.


    ¡°Awhhh, why don¡¯t you want to try it on?¡± Yui asked as she presented him with a sweater she thought would look great on him.


    ¡°I just¡­¡­I don¡¯t think it¡¯d look good¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course it would! You can¡¯t say that before you¡¯ve tried it!¡±


    But he had tried it. And he couldn¡¯t stand the person looking back at him.


    But¡­¡­¡­it won¡¯t always be that way, right? Maybe one day¡ª


    ¡°No, you won¡¯t.¡±


    I¡¯m already working towards it!


    ¡°For what? Five days? This is who you are now, this is¡ª!¡±


    His train of thought was interrupted by Yui forcing one of his arms through the sleeve of a black jacket with red trim, he was so surprised that it wasn¡¯t until she tried putting his other arm through the second sleeve for him to respond.


    ¡°Yui, h-hey! What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡°You have to start somewhere!¡± she said, mildly annoyed. ¡°Everyone does! And since you already started, I see no reason for you to stop here!¡±


    He started spinning in place, trying to force her back.


    ¡°Yui I don¡¯t, I¡ª h-hey! There¡¯s a reason I don¡¯t like shopping!¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± she exclaimed. He didn¡¯t know why, but her tone sounded more honest now. ¡°But clothes make the man, and if it¡¯ll encourage you to keep going then we have to try! You have to go step by step!¡±


    ¡°Yui, wait, stop!¡±


    They crashed against a stack of forty percent off t-shirts, knocking a few off the table; Luka had the sudden memory of Yuuko crashing into his dorm, since the sound was very similar.


    ¡°Just what is it with these two?!¡± he thought to himself. ¡°Seriously, they¡¯re not normal at all!¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    They¡¯re not normal at all.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    But then¡­¡­¡­why do they feel normal?


    Another wave of dizziness hit him, the memory of both their personal introductions on the first day of class filled his mind.


    When the opportunity presented itself, Yui sharpened her eyes, unintentionally yelling


    ¡°Get in the jaaackkeeeeeettt!!!!!¡±


    Shoving his other arm through the sleeve, she quickly scanned for the closest mirror, but found nothing except¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°There!¡±


    Grabbing him by the arm and gritting her teeth, she externally yelled as she hurled him through two large doors labelled ¡°Fitting Room¡±.


    Crashing onto the floor and getting the wind knocked out of him was unpleasant to say the least. He writhed on the floor for at least a minute before recovering enough to understand what happened; if nothing else, it helped clear up the fog that had accumulated in his mind.


    ¡°Gah,¡± he said, grabbing the wall for support. ¡°Where¡¯d¡­¡­she learn to throw someone like that?¡±


    That¡¯s another thing I don¡¯t know about her.


    He rubbed his tailbone, standing up as he thought about what she¡¯d said.


    ¡°If it¡¯ll encourage you to keep going, then we have to try!¡±


    ¡°From the way she talked¡­¡­it¡¯s almost like she knew I¡ª¡±


    He took in a sharp breath. In front of him was a mirror, and for the briefest moment he panicked. He didn¡¯t want to look at himself. He didn¡¯t want to be reminded of what he chose to avoid.


    But the man looking back in the mirror didn¡¯t look like him, only remarkably like him. Afterall, there was no way the person staring back at him could be him.


    He touched his cheek, and the person before him did the same. The fat on his cheek¡­¡­¡­somehow¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­he remembered there being more of it. Not only that, but the swollen areas above his eyelids, the ones that appeared since he¡¯d gained wait, they were also gone. He stepped closer, grazing the reflective surface with a finger.


    His finger.


    He touched the base of each of them; they felt just a little bonier, and looked just a little slimmer. All of a sudden, details he never noticed about himself seemed to pop out of nowhere.


    The first day of school, when he looked in the mirror, was the first time in years he¡¯d looked at himself, so if he was noticing all these details about himself now, did that mean he subconsciously memorized all the little things he hated about his appearance?


    Details that, now that he looked at himself again, he noticed changed?


    But the most striking thing was simply how adding a simple jacket changed the way he looked. The charcoal color went well with the darker shade of blue he wore, and his hood stuck out over the top of the collar, which made it look¡­¡­¡­modern? Fashionable?


    The only thing he knew for sure was that it made him look thinner. Like it was telling him what could be possible in the future.


    ¡°Clothes make the man, and if it¡¯ll encourage you to keep going then we have to try!¡±


    He touched the features of his body once more.


    ¡°Clothes really can make the man¡­¡­¡­¡±


    His phone began vibrating, taking it out, he saw a notification for a text.


    ¡¸Yui:


    Hey, so funny story, they kinda kicked me out of the store for ¡°disrupting the peace¡±. If you like the jacket, can you buy it so we can grab something to eat? I think your apprentice should be meeting us soon too¡¹


    He completely forgot he¡¯d given her his number before they arranged to meet today.


    ¡¸Yeah, I rly like it, thanks! How¡¯re u so good @ fashion?¡¹


    There was a lingering feeling in his stomach, a curiosity. With this, he¡¯d finally come at least one question closer to understanding one of the two people who¡¯d helped him. But to his surprise, the only words on the screen read:


    ¡¸Yui:


    Us ladies need to do our best to look sharp¡¹


    He sighed, closing the phone and exiting the fitting rooms. He hadn¡¯t noticed before, but the store carried a lot more than just clothes, there were gifts as well as a few trinkets alongside what looked like gift wrapping. Why hadn¡¯t he noticed them before?


    He touched the base of his neck, the muscles felt stiff for some reason. He chose to ignore it as he removed the jacket, walking to the register to pay for it when a hooded figure suddenly appeared.


    ¡°Oof!¡±


    ¡°¡ª!¡ª¡ª!!¡±


    Luka touched his shoulder in reflex, he wasn¡¯t hurt at all, but the same might not be said for the person in front of him. Though he was still standing, the person in the hood fell to the floor, envelopes and cards scattering across the floor.


    ¡°O-Oh man, I-I¡¯m really really sorry! Hey, are you o¡­kay¡­?¡±


    The girl in front of him rubbed her head in a daze, but that also caused her hood to slip off. Red hair like actual fire, brighter and more colorful than any he¡¯d ever seen before, was the very first thing he noticed about her. The second, is how beautiful she looked.


    She continued rubbing her head until returning to her senses, and scanning the floor around her, she immediately understood what happened and looked up.


    Though not on purpose, both had their mouths agape in a stunned silence. The girl¡¯s face, full of freckles and with glasses on the bridge of her nose, turned as red as her hair as she frantically tried collecting the items on the floor.


    She was the first to act, but Luka was the first to speak.


    ¡°H-Here let me help with¡ª¡±


    As soon as he crouched down she went ten times as fast, grabbing a card only to have it slip, trying to grab it again, and repeating the process; he even thought he saw her hand slam onto cards, like her brain registered touching it and picking it up as the same thing.


    ¡°U-Umm, hey are you¡ª¡±


    The more he spoke, the more frantic he became, which in turn caused him to start panicking. He tried grabbing a card, but it would fold and slip out of his grasp. By the time he picked one up, she¡¯d already collected all of hers; he was going to hand over the only one he selected when something about the cover caught his eye.


    On the cover was an image of two people, a boy and a girl, walking hand-in-hand on a sandy beach. The words printed above them said:


    ¡°Where you will go, I will follow.


    When you speak, I will hear.


    Because who you are, is who I cherish.


    Near or far, I will go.


    Until you see, you are to me¡­¡­¡±


    He was about to open the inside of it until she yanked the card out of his hand, and flew outside the store with her hood all the way up.


    He stood there for a few moments, stunned at what he¡¯d read, but more so at the girl he just saw.


    Does she¡­¡­go to our school?


    The vibration in his pocket returned him to the present, and checking the notification, he went to pay for the jacket with a warm feeling inside his chest.


    Part 3


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t help her?!¡±


    ¡°I picked up a card she¡¯d dropped!¡­¡­but kind of stared at it¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Did you at least apologize!?¡±


    ¡°I-I tried! She was just going so fast I didn¡¯t really have time to think!¡±


    Yui sighed as he finished his story.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to atone for this.¡±


    ¡°Atone? What did I do?¡±


    ¡°You knocked down a poor girl against her will, and what¡¯s more, you took something precious from her! Something she might¡¯ve been saving for someone special, and you took it right before her eyes!¡±


    ¡°¡­Yui¡­¡­that phrasing sounds¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why¡ª¡± she said, pointing directly at him, ¡°¡ªwe¡¯re going to have you practice these spontaneous encounters! So you can learn what to say in any situation, and especially practice who you say it to!¡± she declared.


    ¡°It¡­¡­I mean, I meant to, but I¡¯ll try to do it next time.¡±


    ¡°Yes you will,¡± she said, narrowing her eyes. ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Just like that, from outside the store Yui disappeared into the crowd behind her, seamlessly weaving between their bodies as though she couldn¡¯t be touched by them. Luka tried keeping up, but there were so many people. He kept bumping shoulders with strangers, it slowed him down, preventing him from keeping up with his guide.


    He tried narrowing his attention to following her ribbon, but soon, that disappeared amongst the waves of people crashing against him.


    ¡°Ohoph!¡±


    ¡°Iyah!¡±


    A high pitched voice came from right next to him, and he saw long, light brown hair that complimented those extremely long eyelashes. She was walking arm in arm with an older man, maybe they were married?


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it next time!¡±


    He found it impossible to believe that his brain was making so many connections in such a short amount of time, but the person he bumped into was absolutely a beautiful woman.


    ¡°I-I¡ªI¡¯m sorry about that!¡±


    ¡°No worries!¡± she said, once again grabbing the man¡¯s arm since the impact seemed to have loosened her grip.


    He stood still for a moment, a wide smile spreading across his face.


    Technically, Yui had been the first girl he¡¯s talked to in years that wasn¡¯t family, but by himself, this was the first time. Even so, in the back of his mind he couldn¡¯t help but feel that the girl seemed familiar somehow.


    Suddenly, he felt someone grab his shoulder and pull him off to the side.


    ¡°Be careful, you¡¯ll get trampled standing in the middle of a crowd like that.¡±


    ¡°Yuuko!¡± he said in disbelief. ¡°Where¡¯ve you been? I thought you were going to meet us.¡±


    ¡°Aah, I¡¯m really sorry about that,¡± he said, scratching the back of his head. ¡°I had something I had to do, but I understand everything now, more or less.¡±


    ¡°Understand?¡±


    ¡°Nice jacket by the way,¡± he said, walking around his friend, inspecting the article. ¡°It really brings out everything we¡¯ve been working on the past few days.¡±


    ¡°Oh, t-thanks I¡ªwait, working on?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you two would leave a poor, fragile maiden to fend for herself in the middle of a crowd!¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you send a guy to the infirmary earlier this week for nearly touching you?¡±


    ¡°Only one person is allowed to touch me,¡± she said, bringing her face closer to the man who just spoke. ¡°How do you plan to atone for this, Yuu?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll decide on that later,¡± he said, pushing down her shoulders. ¡°Anyway what were you two doing?¡±


    ¡°Atoning.¡±


    He looked confusingly at the girl as she proceeded to explain the situation.


    ¡°It was an accident,¡± stated Luka sheepishly. ¡°I was just¡­¡­¡­kind of caught off guard, you know?¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°She¡ª¡±


    He hesitated, completely at a loss for words. Background noise filled the silence as both looked at him, waiting for his response; it was Yuuko who opened his mouth to speak, but Luka spoke.


    ¡°¡ªI¡¯ve never seen anyone like her before.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯d she look like?¡± asked Yui, intrigued.


    ¡°Her hair was¡­¡­it looked like fire, and she had freckles and glasses. I-I felt bad but it was like the words caught in my throat, I just didn¡¯t really know what to say. She was nervous, I think, but she probably just wanted to get out of there¡­¡­¡­I wouldn¡¯t blame her.¡±


    The filled silence returned, but only for a moment before Yuuko let out a sigh, turning to Yui.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry about it, it¡¯s better to take it one step at a time and we already did good work today.¡±


    ¡°¡®We.¡¯¡± she pouted. ¡°You were gone the whole time y¡¯know.¡±


    He awkwardly scratched the back of his head. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ll make it up to you when we get back.¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­¡­guys, what are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°I mean that you¡¯ll have plenty of time to atone.¡± he said, turning to his friend. ¡°Cause after all, that girl¡¯s in our class.¡±


    *   *   *   *   *


    She opened the door to her room with frantic movements, taking no care to gently close it like she usually does. All of her items spilled to the floor as she crashed into her body, violently kicking her legs up and down in embarrassment. This went on for several minutes before she calmed down enough to open her phone, opening a folder labelled ¡°Monologue.¡±


    ¡¸Stupid I¡¯m so stupid I¡¯m so stupid I¡¯m so stupid I¡¯M SO STUPID!


    How didn¡¯t I see him?! Why did I crash into him!? These kinds of things aren¡¯t ever supposed to happen in real life! If I wasn¡¯t wearing my STUPID hood, maybe I¡¯d have seen him, but if I don¡¯t then everybody stares at me¡ª IT¡¯S A LOSE LOSE!!¡¹


    She hugged a rather large body pillow, pouring a frustrated sigh into its cotton and fluff. When she came back up for air, her entire face was red.


    ¡¸I don¡¯t know what to do now. He saw all the cards, so I¡¯ll have to get something else.¡¹


    Her typing slowed considerably as she stared at the glowing screen.


    ¡¸I could try anyway. I saw him running with a classmate a few days ago, I think he¡¯s trying to become a better person¡­¡­it¡¯s nice to have someone encourage you. That¡¯s why I wanted to give him something to help.


    That¡¯s also why I don¡¯t think he¡¯d be interested in someone like me¡­he¡¯s so open and free¡­¡­and I¡¯m the exact opposite.¡¹


    She covered her head with the pillow.


    ¡¸Maybe if I were prettier. Livelier. Maybe if I talked¡­¡¹


    She tossed her phone to the side as she flipped onto her back. The ceiling was a cool shade of gray, with a picture taped on it. A picture of a time where she could believe in herself a little bit more.


    Her attention returned to her phone as it buzzed with a notification.


    ¡¸Fuyumi:


    I think I have a lead on both the absentee student, and the rumors surrounding Ai Hirawa. I hate to ask, but if you¡¯re not busy, do you think you could help me?¡¹


    She gave a soft smile, returning to her Monologue folder and adding one final line:


    ¡¸¡­but it¡¯s nice to chase your dream. No matter how far.¡¹


    Part 4


    He was, yet again, drenched in sweat; breathing like someone who¡¯d never done so in his life.


    ¡°See¡­I told you¡­¡­¡± said his running partner. ¡°It¡¯s one¡­¡­step¡­¡­¡­at a time.¡±


    He pointed behind them, and it was true. Compared to the first day he started, Luka had been able to finish farther and farther, but today that distinction was absolutely clear; a whole street¡ª cleared with his effort of a few days.


    ¡°Ha¡­¡­ha¡­¡­¡­now if I¡­¡­could just¡­¡­¡­do the same¡­¡­¡­with that girl¡­¡­¡±


    They took a seat on a nearby bench. Classes wouldn¡¯t start for another hour and a half, so they had plenty of time to catch their breath before heading back. They sat there, watching cars and people alike move by, feeling the petals carried by the warm wind against their skin.


    ¡°Running is one thing¡­¡­¡­apologizing is another.¡± said Luka, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Everyone starts somewhere.¡±


    ¡°No, I mean¡­¡­¡­this involves another person. It sounds pathetic, but even just apologizing¡­I don¡¯t know if I can do it.¡±


    ¡°Because?¡±


    ¡°Cause¡­¡­¡± Luka was thankful his face was red from running, because he could feel himself blush. ¡°Even if it¡¯s just apologizing¡­¡­I have no experience talking with girls¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Your face is red.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the run!¡± he said indignantly. ¡°Look either way, it involves someone else¡­she¡¯d probably be creeped out by me anyway¡­¡­everyone in our class is¡­¡­¡­¡±


    He counted the cracks in the concrete as he waited for a response, and got to twenty before a sharp, momentary pain struck the back of his head.


    ¡°Again?¡±


    ¡°¡ªyou¡¯re looking down on yourself.¡± he said. Luka was surprised by his tone. ¡°If it makes you feel weird, then it¡¯s probably a good thing.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t get it,¡± he said, looking across the street. ¡°The whole class doesn''t think you¡¯re annoying, but it¡¯s probably what she thinks of me.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not the class.¡±


    He looked to his friend in confusion, and he continued.


    ¡°She might think that, but she might not. Either way, apologizing would make anyone feel happy.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I think there¡¯s a lot of value to an apology. Because it means you won¡¯t make your mistake again.¡±


    ¡°That sounds kind of childish¡­¡­¡­but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s untrue.¡± he in an amused sigh. ¡°So¡­how do I apologize?¡±


    *   *   *   *   *


    Those thoughts left his mind as soon as he looked up.


    ¡°You¡¯re Luka Schafer, right?¡±


    He didn¡¯t need his internal monologue to know the girl in front of him was much too far out of his league. No. Leagues didn¡¯t exist on levels this different. Long waves of hair that layered each other in curls, a gentle smile, a tender face; this girl, for some reason, held a box towards him causing every thought in his mind to crash into a halt. The gift itself was small, no bigger than his hand, with a delicate bow wrapped carefully over the top.


    ¡°Y¡­es?¡±


    ¡°This is for you.¡±


    All around them, students were in furious whispers, though their voices were so low he couldn¡¯t make out what they were saying.


    That, and he couldn¡¯t focus on anything else.


    After a few silent moments, he realized she was still holding out the gift centered in both of her slender hands, and he took it as though disarming a trap.


    ¡°Umm¡­¡­why tha¡ªI mean, I¡¯m¡­but why?¡±


    As if he never said anything at all, she smiled, and returned to her seat. The whispers continued around him, but he couldn¡¯t understand; he was so lost in thought that he didn¡¯t notice class ended until a hand shook his shoulder.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­I¡¯m¡­¡­sorry, um, what happened?¡±


    His friend blinked in confusion. ¡°School¡¯s over for the day.¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­.what?


    ¡°Were you thinking about the present she gave you?¡±


    ¡°What? N-No of course not.¡±


    Of course I was; but I can¡¯t admit that I spent an entire class envisioning a future together!


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty sad you know.¡±


    Do you remember the last time we got a gift from someone who isn¡¯t family?


    That seemed to have shut him up.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­so¡­¡­does that mean you were able to apologize to the girl you ran into yesterday?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty sad you know.¡±


    Luka panicked.


    ¡°I completely forgot! Is she still here? Maybe I can find her!¡±


    ¡°This reminds me an awful lot about a story my mom told me once.¡±


    ¡°AaAHhhh! Y-Yuuko, we have to find her! Otherwise the guilt¡¯ll eat me alive!¡±


    ¡°Guilt over an accident? It¡¯s not that serious, just do it tomorrow¡±


    ¡°NO, GUILT OVER ENVISIONING OUR LIVES TOGETHER!¡± he said, running through the door. His voice gradually faded as he ran further and further into the hall. Yuuko gave an empty smile at the situation.


    ¡°He couldn¡¯t have run like that last week,¡± he said to himself. However, his attention turned to a certain girl visible outside the window, she was being picked up by a man who could¡¯ve been her father.


    ¡°Envisioning lives together, huh?¡±


    Part 5


    Can¡¯t I do something as simple as apologizing?


    He knew Yuuko had a point, he could always apologize to her another time, but the burning sensation in his chest wouldn¡¯t let him.


    This past week has meant more to him than the past two years; in a handful of days he¡¯d started developing a habit, a habit that let him look up, and for the first time in years he could feel something other than his physical weight dragging him down.


    So was this sudden well of energy coming from a desire to keep up that momentum?


    He burst outside, nearly over his feet, but quickly rising to scan the area around him. Even if he couldn¡¯t apologize, maybe the intentions of an isolated high school boy could reach her.


    ¡°Is that¡­¡­red hair?¡± he said, following two people to the back ends of the school. ¡°And that path looks familiar¡­¡­¡±


    For two years he¡¯d been idle, letting himself be carried along by a current he didn¡¯t even know he was riding; what would become of him if he returned to the place he was?


    Of course, he still hated himself. But there was another feeling, a seed that kept growing.


    He still hated himself, yes, but for some reason he was beginning to find that he could tolerate himself a little more.


    And if that could happen with him¡­¡­¡­maybe it could happen with others too.


    ¡°So, how about it?¡± asked the boy while his target was against the wall.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on,¡± he said, lifting up her cheek. ¡°If you do, I may just forget about all those pictures of the students you took.¡±


    She was pressed against the wall, eyes shut tight as she turned her head to the side in an attempt to avoid the face that was coming ever closer.


    While hugging the camera to her stomach, she began sliding down until a voice in an odd tone rang out.


    ¡°By my strength, leave that maiden¡ª!¡±


    Both turned to see a boy with blonde hair in an uncomfortable pose, their silence caused by disbelief.


    However, without missing a beat, the boy just sighed and scratched the back of his head, readjusting his stance before¡ª


    ¡°¡ªhey, can you please get away from her?¡±

 Chapter 5 - Portrait

    Part 1


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°How do you¡­¡­¡­do the things you do?¡±


    The weekend had come to an end, and the two finished their jog, now walking to class in the rhythm of the morning melody. Cars passed them by as insects hummed and birds sang in a chorus around them; somehow, their songs emphasized the weight of the boy¡¯s question.


    ¡°That¡¯s a pretty broad question.¡±


    ¡°I know but¡­¡­you know what I mean¡­¡­¡­I think.¡±


    Of course, the person walking next to him stayed silent. The passing wind of the cars made his hair sway, but it always returned to relatively the same shape. Maybe that was the advantage to having bed hair?


    ¡°You¡¯re doing it too.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the jogging I know, but I mean everything else.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I meant too.¡±


    He looked at him in confusion.


    ¡°You¡¯re already doing it, Luka. Haven¡¯t you noticed that you¡¯re not looking at your shoes as much anymore?¡±


    His eyes widened in mild surprise, no wonder his neck had been hurting the past few days.


    ¡°I mean, maybe but¡­¡­it¡¯s not like I stopped. I mean, how do you¡­¡­¡­I don¡¯t know¡­honestly I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m trying to ask.¡±


    They reached a park unfamiliar to Luka even though he¡¯d seen it from afar. Yuuko wandered around the wide open square, occasionally crouching to caress the grass beneath the trees; Luka was about to ask what he was trying to do when he picked up an object and promptly returned, urging his friend to hold out his hand.


    ¡°Here, plant it.¡± he said, dropping a wrinkled, deformed oval into his hand. He twisted it, feeling it¡¯s texture and applying just enough pressure to sense how hard it truly was.


    ¡°A seed?¡±


    ¡°The results will come, but it takes time. This way, you can kind of think of it as another thing that¡¯s growing alongside us, and if the first step is to plant it, then your first step would be¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªto talk to her. To apologize.¡± he interrupted. ¡°¡­¡­¡­gaahhh! Who knew apologizing would be so difficult?!¡±


    Yuuko scratched the back of his head at Luka¡¯s sudden outburst, he was about to respond before¡ª


    ¡°And another thing! You know these things take like ten years to grow right!? I don¡¯t want to wait ten years!¡±


    ¡ªhis friend erupted into a rant.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it sev¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yuu-boy you don¡¯t understand! AAaHAhhhHH!¡±


    He leaned forward onto the fence separating the concrete from the park in defeat. He could tell Yuuko was behind him, waiting, and after a deep breath, he confessed.


    ¡°I feel¡­¡­¡­weird¡­¡­about this.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why? Cause it¡¯s all so sudden,¡± he said, turning around. ¡°I was a friendless loser for two years, Yuuko; now all of a sudden you and Yui show up to help me and it feels¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Opportunities feel that way.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The opportunity to move yourself. You¡¯re the sculpture, and the one being sculpted, of course it¡¯d feel weird. But you¡¯ve taken it a step at a time, and that¡¯s what matters most.¡±


    The chorus in nature took over once more as Luka took a moment to regain his composure. Small beads of sweat fell onto the pavement as he looked down from his shoes, to the clouds above him.


    ¡°Hey, Yuuko.¡±


    Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Can you tell me something about you and Yui? I feel¡­¡­¡­so one-sided. Like you guys have been helping me, but I haven¡¯t done anything for you guys.¡±


    His friend gave that soft, empty smile once more.


    ¡°You have someone else to talk to first.¡±


    ¡°Then that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do,¡± he said, practically jumping away from the fence, ¡°that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ll do!¡±


    He pointed at Yuuko.


    ¡°You¡¯d best fear my final form, Yuu-boy! For now I¡¯m but a humble sprout, but soon I¡¯m going to help you guys in the same way you¡¯ve helped me!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°You¡¯d better fear those secret walls of yours breaking down, Yuu-boy!¡±


    ¡°Yuu-boy again,¡± his friend said in an amused sigh. But soon, he raised his hands in a defeated gesture.


    ¡°And as for you!¡± he said, pointing to the school. ¡°You¡¯d better fear my apology, Poetry-Girl! Cause apologizing isn¡¯t the only thing I plan on doing!¡±


    Part 2


    ¡°Heyyyy, I remember you,¡± said the boy, leaning away from the girl with red hair. ¡°You¡¯re that, ah, Puka kid from our class, Ryu had a word with you on the first day!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­yeah.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s nice to see you again and all, but ah, if you¡¯ll excuse me,¡± he said, gesturing to the girl against the wall. ¡°We¡¯re a bit busy.¡±


    ¡°O-Oh, right umm¡­¡­¡­so¡­¡±


    He stopped. Out of instinct he put his hands into his pockets, but a tough, wrinkled sensation brought back every single memory of the morning. He took it out, and noticed the girl trembling. Her eyes were glued to the floor.


    Is that how I looked?


    ¡°¡­¡­actually, I need to talk with her for a few minutes.¡±


    ¡°I just said we¡¯re busy.¡± he said in a tone that was suddenly deeper than before.


    ¡°R-Right, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Take a hint, leave.¡±


    He didn¡¯t understand why they looked smaller until realizing he¡¯d been stepping away from them. Without noticing, he¡¯d listened to him.


    I can always try another time¡­


    ¡°No. You can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡­¡­what?


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that! You know you can¡¯t!¡±


    That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m leaving!


    ¡°I meant you can¡¯t find her another time.¡±


    But she¡¯s already with him and¡ª


    ¡°You saw the way she¡¯s looking at the floor. If you leave now, everything you¡¯ve worked for, and everything you told your friend will have been a lie.¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡±


    Since when are you on my side?


    ¡°I¡¯ve always been on your side. I¡¯m you, after all.¡±


    Could¡¯ve fooled me.


    ¡°I did.¡±


    Luka looked from the boy to the girl against the wall; in that one moment they had something in common, both we¡¯re looking at each other in the eye.


    Tracing the shape of the seed in his pocket, he made his way towards them, and the boy *tch* made a sound as he approached.


    He tried walking past him, but Ryu¡¯s friend put his hand against his chest and forced him back.


    What¡¯s with these kinds of people?!


    ¡°You say that like you weren¡¯t friends with Ryu for years.¡±


    It was different back then¡­¡­


    ¡°Exactly. You¡¯ve taken worse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve taken worse.¡±


    Those were his exact thoughts as he saw the boy preparing to hit him, he raised his arms to brace for the impact before a sudden flash distracted the both of them. They turned and saw the redhead, frozen, her eyes wide like a deer in front of headlights.


    The boy clicked his tongue, wagging his finger in disappointment.


    ¡°And here I thought you weren¡¯t a tattletell.¡± He completely ignored Luka as he made his way towards the girl, one palm open in order to receive the camera. Though her grip on it was tight enough to where her knuckles turned red, she trembled, causing metallic clicks as the components of the camera shook.


    She tried stepping back, but only managed to push herself further into the wall.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not make things more difficult than they need to be HauoOUGHH!¡±


    She panicked for a moment before seeing Luka behind the boy; he had him in a bearhug, and since he was taller than him by a few inches, and far outweighed him, he was almost completely immobilized.


    ¡°Hurry up, get out of here!¡± he said, struggling.


    ¡°Let!¡­¡­Me!¡­¡­¡­Go!¡±


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± he urged.


    The girl was in a frantic sway, eyes darting back and forth and scampering around like a nervous animal. The boy began beating against Luka¡¯s ribs with his elbows, causing the latter to grunt in pain, but to his own surprise, he didn¡¯t let go.


    He grit his teeth as he came to understand something. He thought that, perhaps, the two years of being ostracized from his peers was preparing him for this moment; perhaps the reason he never fought back against Ryu, the reason he met Yuuko, the reason he decided to move himself, was to prepare him for this exact moment.


    For two years¡­¡­¡­had he already been sprouting? Or was it something else?


    ¡°Hurry!¡± he unintentionally yelled to the girl. With a jump, she began running in the direction from which they all came, and for a moment, he was relieved.


    But everything disappeared the moment he heard that voice.


    ¡°Seriously? Of all the people, he¡¯s the one giving you trouble?¡±


    He was so surprised that his grip loosened, and soon after, the boy broke free with a strong elbow to his chest. He fell down, gripping his shirt with one hand while tapping his phone with the other. Hesitantly, he raised his head to watch the boy arrive.


    ¡°Cut me some slack, I don¡¯t know why but he¡¯s tougher than he looks.¡±


    ¡°He is,¡± said Ryu, staring directly at Luka. ¡°Otherwise he wouldn¡¯t be here.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here anyway?¡±


    He looked at his friend with a smirk. ¡°I knew you¡¯d try confessing here, and I wanted to see you get rejected you disgusting womanizer.¡±


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Please,¡± he said, pushing his hair back. ¡°The only reason she didn¡¯t say yes sooner was because she was in shock and didn¡¯t know how to accept.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± he said, rolling his eyes and turning his attention to the girl in question. ¡°Hana, right? We¡¯re in the same class, I¡¯m gonna need that film you have of my friend.¡±


    She clutched the camera tight to her stomach without looking at them, and when Ryu took another step forward, so too, did Hana take a step backward. And so it continued, until she was right back where she started.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care much for making a scene,¡± he said. ¡°The film and I¡¯ll be on my¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªdon¡¯t give it to him!¡±


    She looked to her left to see a boy coughing up dust, bits of dirt sticking to his hands and glasses, but he repeated himself with pride after standing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give it to him, I¡¯m the one he wants.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± He said with a deadpan expression. ¡°My idiot of a friend screwed up, so I¡¯m helping him fix it. That¡¯s what a friend does, after all¡ª¡±


    His eyes sharpened like glass, making the hair on Luke¡¯s forearms stand; not because of the way he looked, no.


    But because of his words.


    Because he understood exactly what he was trying to say.


    ¡°¡ªisn¡¯t that right Luka?¡±


    He took a moment to catch his breath, his memories from two years ago began resurfacing.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he said, calming down. ¡°Which would make you a pretty good friend, Ryu. But sorry to say that I can¡¯t let you ask anything of her.¡±


    His former friend lost all interest in the girl, just like he¡¯d hoped. Approaching Luka, he began tying his hair into a ponytail, leaving nothing but uneven, messy bangs to dance across his forehead.


    ¡°Luka,¡± he said calmly. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you one of these days.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± interrupted a third voice, ¡°but Luka still has something to do before he dies.¡±


    Ryu¡¯s expression changed little at seeing a boy with golden eyes interrupt him, accompanied by a girl with bright turquoise eyes and an equally bright ribbon flowing down her hair.


    ¡°For a student that arrived late,¡± he scoffed towards Yuuko, half amused, ¡°you showed up at just the right time.¡±


    Wordlessly, the boy held up his phone, showing a screen with what looked like a single line of text. ¡°So,¡± he asked, obliviously, ¡°is there a reason for this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern.¡±


    ¡°If it has to do with a friend, it is my concern.¡±


    Ryu couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Cocky little bastard.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose that¡¯s the reason.¡±


    ¡°It has nothing to do with you, New Kid. Take your girlfriend and leave.¡±


    ¡°My my,¡± said Yui, putting her hands to her cheeks. ¡°Did you hear that Yuu? Do we already seem like that to the other students?¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t think now¡¯s the time,¡± he sighed.


    Ryu¡¯s previously calm demeanor started to crack, until a surreal grin spread across his face.


    ¡°OI! FOUR-EYES!¡± The girl jumped at all the attention suddenly returning to her, but Ryu continued. ¡°You know that picture shows your precious shepherd fighting too, right? Show that to the council and both of them¡¯ll get expelled! Is that what you want?!¡±


    ¡°If Luka was fighting, it had to be in self-defense,¡± spoke Yui. ¡°We have three cases supporting Luka, to your lonesome one. Try reporting it and we¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to get it,¡± said Ryu, spreading his arms. ¡°NONE of you seem to understand that this school has a reputation to uphold, any fights, any violence, and you¡¯ll get you kicked from the school, reasoning be damned!¡±


    The student around him fell into silence as he continued.


    ¡°Do you think they care for more scandal? They¡¯ve already got enough to deal with in trying to control the students¡¯ hatred towards the rich, the outside world¡¯s view of them, they don¡¯t care about anything else! So go ahead, Four-Eyes, show the council that picture of these two idiots fighting, betray the kid that stood up for you, he¡¯s nothing but an outlier anyway! No one¡¯ll miss him, including you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re selling out your own friend?¡± asked Yui in disgust.


    ¡°Who am I selling out? She¡¯d be the one outing them, she¡¯s the one with the proof¡ª me? I¡¯m a passerby, I¡¯ll be here safe and sound.¡±


    Their surroundings suddenly became still, the wind caused the newfound plants to dance, bringing with it the smell of a spring day. Ryu made his way back to his dumbfounded friend as he turned to address Hana.


    ¡°Are you going to choose?¡±


    She looked on the verge of breaking down, the girl constantly raised her glasses to wipe away thinly-veiled tears, but it was clear to everyone watching.


    She didn¡¯t know what to do. But to their surprise, someone did.


    ¡°You can do it.¡±


    ¡°Luka!¡± cried Yui. ¡°What are you saying? Things have been going so well for you, your scholarship will get rescinded, you¡¯ll get expelled!¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Then why?!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­I¡¯m not really sure.¡± he admitted. ¡°Lately I haven¡¯t been able to put my thoughts and feelings into words¡­¡­¡­but I think it¡¯s because I know I¡¯ll be doing some good. Ryu¡¯s right, I just end up causing trouble for people, at the very least, this way I can take out someone who¡¯s just as troublesome.¡±


    Ryu held out his arm, stopping his friend who was about to charge at the imputent boy.


    ¡°Luka,¡± said Yuuko, ¡°you¡¯re not a bother.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel that way.¡± he smiled.


    ¡°Oi Four-Eyes, hurry it up! No one¡¯ll miss him so report it!¡±


    ¡°No, please don¡¯t!¡± pleaded Yui, turning to the girl. ¡°I may not know you, but I know Luka and he doesn''t deserve expulsion!¡±


    ¡°Yui, I really appreciate what you¡¯re doing, but¡ª¡±


    His words stopped.


    She trembled with every step, but Hana approached Luka with something in hand; a thin slip of paper, no larger than a postcard. Her head was fixed to the ground, though she was somehow still able to make her way to the isolated boy.


    ¡°U-Uhm, wh¡ª?¡±


    She held it out without looking at him, and the paper shook in the same rhythm as her fingers.


    Taking it, there was a single line written on it.


    ¡¸I think it¡¯s wonderful how you run after your dreams. Please continue, for the people you inspire.¡¹


    Luka found it hard to speak.


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t¡­¡­I never¡­¡±


    In full view of the other students, she removed the camera from around her neck, her red hair rising and falling like a river as the sash moved through it; in silence, she extracted a small chip from a slot on the side.


    ¡°Hey, wait!¡±


    After a brief struggle, a thin *snap* came from her hands. No sound was heard, except for the amused sighs of Ryu and his friend leaving, no longer having any reason to stay.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡­¡­¡­I don¡¯t understand¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    When she lifted her head, Luka could see puffy eyes that were a different shade of red than that of her hair and glasses.


    But she was smiling.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­¡­¡­I-I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯d¡ª¡±


    But her answer was physical. She pushed the card further into his palm, looking down as she did so. His emotions suddenly became clearer, and he took a look at the card again.


    ¡°How long¡­¡­¡­did you have this for?¡±


    Slowly, she removed her phone from her pocket and began typing away at the screen.


    ¡¸Not very long¡¹read the text.


    ¡°For me?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°I¡­¡­don¡¯t¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Luka!¡± scolded a familiar tone. ¡°After everything she¡¯s gone through and what she just did for you, having her in front of you, you don¡¯t know what to say!?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­¡±


    Hana¡¯s eyes widened at those words, she constantly looked from Yui to Luka as if she didn¡¯t believe the girl in question was her.


    ¡°You know what to do, the only thing left is to do it!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going, okay?! I¡¯m nervous!¡±


    ¡°That means you¡¯re doing something right!¡±


    ¡°It doesn''t make it easier!¡±


    In their discussion, they hadn¡¯t noticed the girl slowly backtracking, that is, until she started falling.


    ¡°¡ª!¡ª¡ª!¡±


    ¡°Look out!¡±


    He reached out his hand.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Huh.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    I feel¡­¡­lighter, for some reason.


    ¡°Adrenaline.¡±


    Is that really it?


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    His hand was wrapped tightly around hers after barely managing to catch her, but that wasn¡¯t the reason for his excessive breathing and heart-rate.


    In his blind rush, Luka managed to pull her closer to himself, tightly wrapping his left arm around her shoulders; as for Hana, her eyes were so wide it wouldn¡¯t be an understatement to compare them to an owl.


    ¡°AaaAAHHH¡ª! S-Sorry, I¡¯m sorry!¡± he blurted, letting go of her. ¡°U-UHTH¡ªThat¡¯s what I wanted to say too that I, I crashed into and it looked pretty bad you, no! Not you, you! Back at the mall! I know, sorry I know it was a long time ago but it bothered me I really don¡¯t mean that I¡¯m always thinking about that you what happened I mean I just wanted to say that since I felt bad about doing that it was an accident!!¡±


    The girl¡¯s owl-like eyes slowly began returning to normal, but her reddened face burned an even deeper shade of scarlet. And she began nodding.


    As she readjusted the strap on her camera and collected herself from the near fall, she began nodding more and more violently the more Luka spoke; Yui quietly thought she looked like a bobblehead. As his extended apology came to a close, he gathered herself and left the way she came; Luka tried speaking out to stop her, but she just began walking faster.


    And as she rounded the corner, Yui and Yuuko gathered around their friend.


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad,¡± urged Yui. ¡°You did your part, you did well.¡±


    ¡°But she left,¡± Luka said, quivering. ¡°She left without even saying anything, gah why am I¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not thinking about her position.¡± said Yuuko, bumping his elbow against Luka¡¯s arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she accepted your apology, but think about it, she was nearly in a fight and almost saw one happen right in front of her.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­yeah?¡±


    ¡°So she was in shock.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡­well I guess but still¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°Give her time, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll say something.¡±


    Unbeknownst to them, the girl was an earshot away, having only rounded the corner. She had a hand over her mouth to silence her severe breathing, but it made her dizzy. Tracing the shape of a larger, thicker card in her bag, she silently cursed herself as she made her way back to her dorm.


    However, even with her mental curses, she could feel the smile on her face that wouldn¡¯t disappear.


    Part 3


    During their middle school years, there was a certain spot he and Luka would constantly hang around. When he arrived at this school, he never would¡¯ve imagined that scenery so similar would be so close.


    Old habits die hard.


    He stopped himself before climbing the tower of concrete stairs.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re back; want me to pick up where I left off?¡±


    He tried sounding angry, but the surprise in his tone was stronger.


    ¡°I want to talk.¡± said Luka, rounding the corner. Ryu turned around, leaning against the chain link fence that separated the school from the shrine above.


    He opened his eyes, staring at the boy in front of him.


    ¡°We have nothing to talk about.¡±


    ¡°You know that¡¯s not true.¡±


    ¡°What. Do you want?¡± he said as his patience waned.


    Putting a hand in his pocket, Luka took shaky, but steady breaths.


    ¡°Why do you hate me after all this time?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a smart one Luka, nabbing a scholarship to come to this school, always scoring damn near perfect on every exam we took. So tell me, why is it you haven¡¯t dropped your habit of asking stupid questions?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m smart,¡± he said solemnly. ¡°¡­¡­I¡¯ve been realizing, more and more lately, that I have a long way to go when it comes to¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªtoo bad you couldn¡¯t realize it two years ago when you got our friends expelled from school! Their whole futures¡ª GONE! BECAUSE OF YOU!¡±


    ¡°Those weren¡¯t our friends Ryu!¡±


    Ryu¡¯s emotions suddenly erupted, causing Luka to respond in kind; even so, he continued.


    ¡°They took you in when you first came to the school, they helped you, sheltered you AND me! And how do you repay them?¡± he said, rapidly cooling down. ¡°With a knife in the back. And a pen to the school.¡±


    Luka¡¯s face cringed inward, he didn¡¯t have a response to that. He knew he was right.


    But what is a friend supposed to do when someone they care for is put at risk?


    ¡°You say that¡­¡­¡­but you know what they were doing was wrong too.¡±


    ¡°They weren¡¯t hurting anybody, you did it to satisfy your ego. Your own disgusting sense of justice cost them their future.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Nothing to say so you¡¯re just taking it? Not surprising, it¡¯s what you¡¯ve always¡ª¡±


    ¡°You were never with them, you always just stood by. I know you thought it was wrong too.¡±


    He grit his teeth, sharpening his eyes in focus at the boy in front of him.


    ¡°Self-righteous child. You never deserved the friends you got.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he responded in a smile. ¡°I still don¡¯t.¡±


    He was stunned, so stunned that he took a step backwards.


    He admitted it. He admitted that he never deserved the friends he had yet still has the gall, the audacity, to smile like fortune smiles constantly upon him.


    It was just one of the many reasons his blood boiled every time he saw that blonde haired face.


    ¡°DON¡¯T MOCK ME YOU LITT¡ª¡±


    His words were interrupted not by someone else, but by something flying right in front of him. To be precise, it was a paper airplane, floating gently along the spring breeze between the two boys, twisting and turning like a river before softly landing at Ryu¡¯s feet.


    It was easy to find where it came from, since the boy in front of him had his eyes glued above his head. Pivoting on one foot, he saw the suspect climb down from the stone steps; her hands were in her coat blazer, but she removed one of them to fix the short hair that was messily carrassed by the wind. When she arrived at the same level as both of them, she looked from the paper plane to Ryu and smiled, revealing rows of sharp teeth.


    But said nothing.


    Luka moved to one side as she continued on, as if the both of them were only something mildly entertaining. Ryu watched with caution until she was out of sight, at which point he picked up the paper by his feet, crumbling it with one hand before stuffing it in his pocket and leaving.


    ¡°H-Hey!¡± a voice behind him called. ¡°I¡¯m not done talking!¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°Ryu, just¡ª RYU!¡±


    He had no intention of stopping. Not until he was forced to by those words:


    ¡°Is there no way we can fix this? Mend what¡¯s gone?¡±


    Though his legs stood still, he didn¡¯t turn around.


    ¡°Why would you want to?¡±


    ¡°I¡ªI¡­¡­maybe because¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­maybe because I got a second chance. I think¡­I should use it¡­¡­¡­¡±


    There was a brief silence after he finished those words, silence that held no weight. No anger, no judgement, no redemption nor tension. Empty silence.


    And with this silence, Ryu made his way back to the dorms, leaving the boy behind him to look solemnly at his shoes; it didn¡¯t take long, however, before he smiled, flicking himself on the back of the head and looking to the sky.


    Part 4


    ¡°I wanted to apologize¡­¡­¡­about the camera.¡±


    The girl nervously licked her lips while giving firm, hard nods, though they were directed to the floor.


    ¡°I also wanted to¡­¡­thank you, I guess?¡± although his words were sincere, he didn¡¯t notice his tone shift into a question, making him sound quite rude as the words left his mouth.


    ¡°I-I mean thanks for helping me out I¡­¡­¡­umm¡­sorry,¡± he said, sheepishly. ¡°I think I¡ª¡±


    ¡°¡ªalright everyone settle down!¡± said Ms. Wakako, clapping her hands to garner their attention.


    Luka sat down in a defeated sigh as the girl continued looking down and their teacher grabbed her clipboard to begin attendance.


    He looked out the window as she made her way down the list, but faced forward when she paused roll call.


    ¡°I see we¡¯ve traded one empty seat for another.¡± she said in a voice that clearly held back her frustration. ¡°It seems Ai is absent, nothing to do but move along. Young lady, we¡¯ve already met but seeing as how this is your first time in my class, this would be the opportune time to introduce yourself.¡±


    Luka looked, and saw it was true; the seat that had been empty for over two weeks now had a student, and whatsmore, she was familiar.


    She stood up, hands in her blazer pockets as her short, messy hair further enforced the impression Luka got that she didn¡¯t care to be here.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she said casually. ¡°I¡¯m Rea, cool to see y¡¯all.¡±


    Without waiting for a reaction, she sat back down, much to the teacher¡¯s chagrin. He tried to look at his friend across the room, to have a silent conversation over the girl, but he was completely absorbed, writing something within a journal.


    He sighed.


    If I knew things would be this chaotic, I don¡¯t know if I would¡¯ve come to this school.


    ¡°You sound happy about it though.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Yeah. I guess I am.


    *   *   *   *   *


    ¡°Miss Hirawa.¡±


    The young lady turned around, long flowing hair following closely behind, almost as if she were in a movie.


    ¡°Aah, hello Miss President,¡± she said in a curtsy. ¡°To what do I owe the honor?¡±


    ¡°Save the formalities please, I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? In the middle of the hallway? Is it truly that urgent?¡±


    ¡°You always leave just before the rush of students; if I didn¡¯t know any better I¡¯d say this is the only time anyone is able to reach you.¡±


    ¡°Ahh,¡± she said in a smile that didn¡¯t match her tone. ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°There are rumors floating about you. Nearly nonexistent and quickly extinguished, but rumors nonetheless.¡±


    ¡°Is it wise for the council president to listen to such things?¡±


    ¡°Rumors are based on information¡ª whether true or false is what I¡¯m here to talk with you about.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡­though if you know I leave at around this time, I¡¯m sure you must know a lot more.¡±


    ¡°Is it true?¡±


    Patches of sunlight pierced through the gray clouds outside, striking the polished marble floor, making the girl whose appearance was already like that of a model that much more striking.


    ¡°If it is¡ª if they are true¡ª then are you here to see me gone?"


    Fuyumi narrowed her eyes at the girl; she couldn¡¯t quite place it, but there was something off about the way she just spoke. She didn¡¯t have time to finish analyzing it, however, before she finished her sentence.


    ¡°If you are, I¡¯d truly appreciate it if you would allow me one more opportunity.¡± she spoke as she held a small, delicate box with a ribbon wrapped on top. ¡°I would like one last chance to find it.¡±


    ¡°Find what?¡±


    The dull gray clouds covered the last streams of light reflecting off the polished white surfaces, onto one side of her face.


    ¡°The same thing you¡¯re looking for.¡±


    Fuyumi blinked back her surprise.


    ¡°At least, that¡¯s what it seems like,¡± she continued, despite the president¡¯s obvious surprise. ¡°You have a certain look in your eye, an urgency to your step. I may very well be wrong, or it may just be something similar to what I¡¯m looking for.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know how to respond, and the sun had all but disappeared now; she looked out of the window, towards the city in the distance.


    ¡°If they¡¯re not true, then you have nothing to worry about. But if they are, I¡¯m sure you understand the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± she said, gingerly tracing the ribbon on the box. ¡°But I very well may suffer a different consequence before then.¡±


    ¡°How do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± she said, speaking a bit louder. ¡°Then, Miss President, I must get going.¡±


    Fuyumi watched her disappear down the corridor, her pace was relaxed, as if she hadn¡¯t a care in the world.


    An urgency to your step.


    She reached for the pocket in her blazer, crossing her arms as the fabric brushed against her fingertips.


    ¡°Something here¡­¡­¡­is very wrong.¡±

 Epilogue

    The worn man rolled off the side of the bed, lazily falling onto the plush carpet that furbished the floor of the velvet red room.


    ¡°Ahhh, damn,¡± he moaned. ¡°I¡¯m gonna be late.¡±


    He felt the area around him, looking for his clothes and putting them on one piece at a time. His dress shirt clearly labeled him as a prominent white collared worker, while his tie and accessories looked expensive enough that anyone would think him in a preeminent position. When he tried putting on his pants, however, a merry laugh escaped his lips.


    ¡°My legs are covered in sweat, ahahah I-I can¡¯t get them through hahaha!¡±


    He tried forcing his way in, but the coarse fabric on the inside stuck to his body like wet glue. Giving into frustration, he tossed them to the side and jumped back into the bed, wrinkling the already shriveled up shirt.


    ¡°Since I¡¯m going to be late anyway,¡± he said, pulling back the sheets, ¡°what do you say we go for round three?¡±


    While the man did indeed rip back the blankets, the girl already wore a small one that barely covered the most desirable parts of her body. The back of her hand was to her forehead, as though taking her own temperature, and panted breaths escaped her lips. Curly, dark brown hair decorated the pillows around her and even hid her eyes. But upon hearing the man¡¯s request, she raised her hand slowly, removing the messy bangs.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t take on more risk than you can handle mister.¡± she teased in a voice that was as smooth as the velvet around them. ¡°Besides, round three is much more, and it seems you¡¯re running on empty.¡±


    ¡°Give me ten minutes and I¡¯ll be running a full tank!¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°If only that were what I was referring to.¡± she smirked.


    She got up, wrapping the blanket around herself while letting it hug the contours of her body; this was arguably the most important part, the one that would secure him.


    While walking away, she turned around, letting her disheveled appearance do the work for her as she held up her phone and gave the old man a wink.


    ¡°Next time, have enough for round four.¡±


    And with that, she entered the bathroom and locked the door; the blanket immediately fell around her as bustling sounds were heard from beyond the small room. All of a sudden, a thick wad of bills slid underneath the door.


    ¡°Think of it as a tip for your exceptional service, we¡¯ll talk soon.¡±


    And just like that, she heard the door to the hotel room open and close with a precise *thump*. She knelt down, picking up the stack of bills¡ª it was more than she was expecting.


    Much, much more.


    A wave of nausea hit her like a bus, she threw the bills against the wall and nearly collapsed into the toilet; horrible retching sounds could be heard echoing from the ceramic as she forced herself to expel the contents of her stomach. The breakfast from this morning, the lunch he paid for, and the horrible liquids that had entered her earlier.


    She stayed like that for the next fifteen minutes, letting her tears stream alongside the sides of the bowl until all evidence was erased with a single flush. Without pausing to breathe, she drained the small bottle of mouthwash that lay next to the complementary scented soap and finely knit towels. She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed, it was only when her tongue and gums burned from the pain did she cough up the purple liquid¡ª thick white bubbles of saliva forming in the sink.


    She didn¡¯t feel any cleaner, as expected, but comforted in knowing the only thing left was a shower.


    She looked up, into the eyes of the girl staring back at her. The little girl who tugged at her parents clothes and told them all about her dreams was nowhere to be found in the reflection. And perhaps it was her mentality, but even the little girl who was so close to her younger siblings just a year prior had also disappeared.


    But the people who supported her still do. So what is she looking for?


    Everyone in the first row already has one, and the last person I gave one to¡­¡­ I think his name was Luka? That means tomorrow it¡¯ll be that boy¡¯s turn.


    The bags underneath her eyes were fully visible in the brightness of the light.


    If I remember right¡­¡­I think his name is Yuuko.