I arrived at school.
I entered our class room, and I saw Aira.
Well, she seems happy.
She's joyfully talking to her friends, full of energy.
...
Just like how she used to talk to me.
Argh, don't think about that, it's only been a day.
And this is exactly what I wanted.
...
I sat on my seat, and looked around.
...
Clumps of people, sets of students laughing.
Some are playing a multiplayer game, and some are jamming out to their group's anthem.
...
I wonder how many of them are in these groups who are forced to do these things.
Well, there could be a chance that all of them actually enjoy doing such things.
I'm not in any of those groups, so I don't really know.
But if I am in one, I think I would be that guy who goes against everything they plan.
And if I'm that guy, why would I remain in a group in the first place?
...
Ah, there's still 15 minutes before class starts.
I guess I'll walk around then.
...
I left the room, and walked around the hall.
There's still a lot of people who hang around outside their rooms too.
As I was calmly walking.
"AAH, EXCUSE ME!" A guy shouted behind me.
I tried to move sideways, but I was too late.
We both fell down.
I stood up immediately, trying to avoid a certain cliche from happening.
I looked at the guy.
...
I remember him.
He was the one hitting on Shaira when we first met!
...
He looked back at me and had a terrified expression. He turned away and ran.
I looked back to see who's chasing him.
...
He is a bulky, ripped, and angry high school senior of mine.
...
I... Kinda understand what's happening here.
...
Well, I can't let someone like me get beaten around for a shot he tried to take.
...
I ran, chasing the guy who flirted with Shaira.
He seemed to go inside the school library.
...
Truly a smart move.
You'll get scolded if you make noise in the library.
The librarian is scary enough to make even the bravest of the jocks, scared.
...
I entered too.
I looked around to see where he's hiding.
...
I saw a student with a light-green jacket hiding behind a bookshelf, as if he's watching who entered the library.
Our eyes met.
He immediately hid himself.
I went towards the shelf, and found him facing his back against me, putting his hood on, and reading a book.
...
Heh, he probably thinks I'll get fooled by that.
...
"Hey. Why would you try to hit on girls wearing a very distinguishable outfit?" (Josh)
"I-I was trying to make myself memorable to girls by wearing this..."
"And let their boyfriends remember you too?" (Josh)
"A-ah.. Wait, how did you even know what I was doing!?"
"Hey man, that's the simplest situation I could think of after seeing a guy running away from an bigger guy who looks like a sports heartthrob." (Josh)
"No one would immediately think of that dude."
"Ah, yes. But if you've been planning intensely how to pick up girls, and who you should pick up, you could've thought of multiple possible events that could happen from hitting on a hot a girl." (Josh)
"Well that's oddly specific."
"No wonder. I've been doing that for so long I can now detect any guy who has the same intentions as me." (Josh)
"Are you telling me that I have found a formidable comrade?"
"Josh Soronio, a fellow man with the same goal. To pick up girls while being an average person."
"Paul Aurelio."
We shook hands.
"Wait, why did you stop me from hitting on Shaira then?" (Paul)
"Hey man, I saw an opportunity to look like a nice guy, of course I'll take that shot." (Josh)
"Yeah, understandable." (Paul)
"Also, that seemed like harassment, you were forcing her dude." (Josh)
"Yeah, I did realize that. Well, did it go well for you?" (Paul)
"I don't even know. I just get to talk to her now." (Josh)
"YOU GOT HER TO TALK TO YOU?! DUDE YOU ALREADY WON!" (Paul)
"...What? Well I do think I have a chance, but I still don't think I'll win." (Josh)
"Oh shut up. You're winning and you know that." (Paul)
I chuckled.
"Anyways. Did this guy see your face?" (Josh)
"I don't think so. I was wearing my hood. As soon as the girl said "He's right behind you.", the guy grabbed my shoulder. I immediately ran away after that." (Paul)
"So he probably hasn't seen your face yet. Does the girl know your name?" (Josh)
"I was about to tell her." (Paul)
"Perfect." (Josh)
Paul looked at me with confusion.
I looked at the library door.
...
I was right.
The guy is here to find Paul.
...
He's looking from the outside. He wants to make sure Paul's here before he enters.
...
"Alright. Give me your jacket." I grabbed Paul's shoulder.
Paul looked at me for a while and nodded.
He understood my plan.
I wore his jacket, got the hood on, and walked towards the door.
I hid behind shelves so that the guy won't expect me.
...
I'm now at the door, waiting for the guy to look at the side.
...
Aaannd, GO!
...
I opened the door, calmly but fast, just enough for the librarian not to mind.
I immediately closed the door.
As soon as the guy was about to turn his head to me, I looked away and ran.
...
I ran as fast as I could.
And as I expected, the guy chased me.
I can hear his heavy footsteps.
...
He's not fast enough. Perfect.
...
I went to the canteen.
This is the only place that's crowded even when the class is about to start.
...
I ran fast enough to give a far distance between us.
...
The canteen is divided by walls into three parts.
...
I stood at the middle, and took off the jacket. I threw the jacket to the door of the right part, leading to the hallway.
I ran to the left part.
I took my wallet out and stood in line of one of the smoothie stalls.
...
It would be amazing if Paul does understand my plan without me telling him.
...
The guy entered.
With the amount of students here, he wasn't able to notice the green jacket at the door of the right part.
He seems confused as to where I went, and headed at the middle part.
...
I looked over the right side to check on the jacket, and saw Paul picking it up.
I bought a smoothie, and walked past the guy, heading to the right side.
...
WOAH! He does know my plan.
The guy would be on time when leaves the middle part and notice me picking up the jacket.
That's why the better result is for Paul to pick up on my plan and let him take his jacket before I get there.
And damn, I am amazed.
Truly, I have found a comrade.
...
I met Paul outside the canteen, and immediately went to the school halls.
"I didn't expect you to catch up on that." (Josh)
"Well when I noticed you headed to the canteen, the only thing I could think of is using the amount of people as distraction." (Paul)
"Ah, yeah. Well, don't ever bring that jacket here again." (Josh)
Paul nodded.
As we were about to go to our separate classes, Paul grabbed my shoulder.
"Yo. Who is that?" (Paul)
I turned to see who he's pointing.
...
It was Aira.
Sigh. Of course.
...
"Ah, that's Aira Akari. And yes, I did try to take my shot with her." (Josh)
"We really have exquisite tastes. Shall I?" (Paul)
"Go for it. I've cut down my friendship with her." (Josh)
"Cut down? Damn, you sure are harsh. Well, I'll take my shot my own way." (Paul)
"Good luck. I'm happy to see a man such as us win over a girl." (Josh)
Paul chuckled.
We then entered our classrooms.
...
As I sat on my place, the bell rang.
...
Just in time.
...
I didn't realize it before, but I was panting heavily while smiling.
...
Well, that was fun.
...
It's break time.
I left the room, heading towards somewhere.
...
I don't knew where yet, but I just want to leave the room.
...
"Josh!" Paul waved at me.
"You're starting now already? That's some confidence you got there." (Josh)
"Hey man, I don't really plan out things. I'm just confident enough that I know I can swoon girls over with some flirty acts. Josh, I take it that you plan things thoroughly before you act?" (Paul)
"I wonder how you're still not giving up on that. Should I believe in my average appearance that I can swoon girls over like you do?" (Josh)
"I guess we do things differently. We'll see which succeeds. Anyways, what made you give up on Aira? I better know before I go there." (Paul)
"Nothing much really. I just became friends with her, expecting I'd have a chance. She basically placed me as only her friend. Nothing more. Knowing that, I gave up. I don't have enough time to stick around. I just knew she doesn't want a relationship. (Josh)
"I can understand that. I'll take my shot though. She might open up to someone not as "nice" as you." (Paul)
"Good luck then."
"Hehe, thanks." Paul went to my classroom.
...
Well I guess I'll see if looks are all it takes.
Because if it's true, then I'll still reject that.
Pointless, I know.
...
I went to the school field.
I sat on a bench.
...
Huh. I don't feel anything in particular.
I don't feel too sad with Aira having friends, not that I should feel sad about it.
I don't feel too hopeful knowing Shaina is somewhat of a friend now, even though I don't know if she treats me as one too.
...
Weird. I say that, but I don't know if that's actually what I feel.
Well, I am happy for finding a new friend, but my thoughts about Shaina and Aira negate that joyful feeling.
...
The strong wind feels nice.
Feels like I'm in a music video.
...
"Oh, are you shooting a music video?"
...
Dammit. That timing made me laugh.
...
Shaina laughed and sat beside me.
"Do you.. Usually laugh this often?" (Josh)
"Hmm. I don't know." (Shaina)
"Now I'm more confused how those rumors of you not smiling come from." (Josh)
"You get caught up by those rumors and instantly believe them?" (Shaina)
"What? You think of me as pathetic? That's the only way I'll get to know something about you." (Josh)
"Ah, so you're trying to pursue me as a partner?" (Shaina)
...
Dammit. She's trying to trap me.
...
"I didn't say that. I just want to know something about other people." (Josh)
"Kinda creepy, don't you think?" (Shaina)
"Heh, when you don't have that many people to talk to, what others think doesn't really matter." (Josh)
"Hm, right... Kinda hard to not think about what I said the last time we talked." (Shaina)
"Your chapter-long backstory? Don't mind that. It doesn't bother me one bit." (Josh)
...
It does. IT REALLY DOES.
...
Shaina nodded.
"Are you sure you want to sit beside me when we're alone in this field?" (Josh)
"I'm not the one who's gonna get beat up by other guys sooo... It doesn't bother me one bit." (Shaina)
"Do you actually enjoy being a popular girl fawned by countless guys?" (Josh)
"No. But I can't avoid that, can I?" (Shaina)
"Feels kinda new having you be the one initiating a conversation and on the offence here." (Josh)
"You won't talk when I won't, right?" (Shaina)
"Hm. I'm not sure about that. When a girl just sits beside me and be silent, of course I'll ask why." (Josh)
"Yeah, I won't want that. I'd rather start the conversation." (Shaina)
"Oh, so you actually talk to people?
Riveting." (Josh)
...
Why can't I stop myself from saying these things?
Yeah, I do want to say that, but I know I shouldn't.
...
"Ah, there we go." (Shaina)
"What do you mean?" (Josh)
"Nothing. I just thought something was off. Did something happen?" (Shaina)
"Ooh, you're actually wanting to know what a person is going through? That's some great character development!" (Josh)
"Hey, it's not like I don't talk to people. Anyways, just answer the question." (Shaina)
"Haha, nothing much. I'm probably just tired." (Josh)
"*Sigh*. I was waiting for a transition to a backstory scene, and this is all you reply with?" (Shaina)
"Hey, I'm not gonna waste an entire chapter for a backstory. Also, are you actually complaining?" (Josh)
"Look. Being the one who just replies to things is tiring. Sometimes, you just want to be the one asking stuff." (Shaina)
"Are you sharing some insights about yourself? Who are you?! And what did you do to Shaina?!" I asked jokingly.
...
No, seriously.
I'm confused as to why Shaina is initiating a conversation, and why am I not making any moves to make her like me.
If I think about it, I can see myself being more rude than honest with her.
I'm basically destroying the chance that I've got here.
Why can't I at least have my "nice' and "kind" persona on?
...
"Don't you think it's kinda tiring to have a persona on and keep it as long as you can, just so that people can see you as that good person?" (Shaina)
...
Oh.
She does know about my goal.
SHE KNOWS.
HOW?!
No. I won't give it up.
...
I sighed.
"I'm not sure about the "good person" part, but I agree. It's tiring to fake a characteristic." (Josh)
Shaina smiled at me.
"Tell me, was the "Shaina" that I talked to before a fake persona?" (Josh)
"Haha, no. It's still a part of me. This is simply who I am. I can be serious and unapproachable, but I can be a social person too." (Shaina)
...
I still didn't expect her be like that.
...
"I can't have only one attitude, Josh. But I can't let myself have a fake one." (Shaina)
"... What's your point?" (Josh)
"Heh, I dunno. I'll let you figure that out." (Shaina)
...
Oh, I've figured it out.
But that fact the you're not saying it is what stops me from declaring it.
Nothing less from a person with a "broken-heart".
She sees deception from a mile away due to experience.
...
"If I do have a fake persona, I'll still tell you that what I am right now isn't that." (Josh)
"I know. That's why I felt like I can talk to you about this." (Shaina)
"Well yeah, I would be nicer and more gentle with my words, but I just can't seem to be like that with you." (Josh)
"Are you saying that you hate me?" (Shaina)
"No, not at all. I'm saying that I cant help myself but be honest with you." (Josh)
"Why is that?" (Shaina)
"Hm. I don't even know. I'll let you figure that out." (Josh)
"Haha, you know what? This is actually the first time that I'm like this." (Shaina)
"Is that good?" (Josh)
"I don't know. But I sure know it's fun." (Shaina)
"So, I'm kinda worried that you're sitting on the same bench as me, and we're the only ones here. This might be my last day." (Josh)
"Ah, you want me to leave then?" (Shaina)
"Not really. I just want to live." (Josh)
"That's kinda scary, Josh." (Shaina)
...
I looked over the school building.
At the back of the building, there seems to be a guy watching us.
...
"Yeah, I know."