{Kei Sasaki's POV:}
My father died when I was 3 years old. I have no memory of him. Not a single one. Apparently, my older sister says that he was a scumbag who mistreated Mom. When I asked Mom, she said that he was a good man.
I didn't know who to believe. Still don't. But it was at the age of 6 when I found out that I wasn't normal.
I possessed mana, a supernatural substance that can cause miracles. I was also stronger than normal people.
It was also at the age of 6 when my mother remarried my current Dad.
I remember not liking him at first, because of the distrust my sister also had, but it was a little after I met my new Dad when I met my older stepsister and brother.
I remember them returning home from school. It was slightly before when Dad told us that my stepbrother was normal and I was to act 'normally' around him.
He greeted me with a smile and introduced himself.
I liked him from the moment we met. He seemed like the type of person who'd be there when you needed them. I wanted to get close to him.
But I didn't. Why?
Because he was normal and I wasn't.
From that day onward, I hated hearing the words, 'normal' and 'special.'
It was precisely because my brother was 'normal,' that I was afraid to get near him. That's why I cut him off. I pretended that I hated him.
I was just afraid.
Afraid of what he would think of me if he found out that I was different from him. I was afraid that he would find out that I was... 'special.'
"Hey, Kei, are you alright?"
A voice woke me up.
Ah right, I'm at school.
I don't even want to go to this school anymore. Having people adore me is tiring. I have to keep going along with everything because if I don't, then they'll chew me out for no reason.
I can't wait to attend Altheria. I'm happy that I got a letter of recommendation, though, I won't be able to go until April. Plus, there's the fact that Altheria is shut down for the time being. I mean, that's why Kuroha came to live with us.
But, more importantly, where's Shoya-nii?
Aihara-nee hasn't said anything about him. Just that he'll come eventually. Did something happen to him?
"Earth to Kei, are you in there?"
"Kya!"
One of my 'friends' knocked on my head. She looked at my reaction and apologised.
"Come on, why my forehead?"
I asked.
"Sorry, you just looked out of it."
I pouted.
Of course, this is just an act. At school, I'm the most ideal and popular girl and have lots of friends. Though, those friends are simply using me as a means to make themselves popular. For example, the friend that flicked my forehead, Risa Murakami, is using me so that she can get herself noticed by other boys.
In short, she wants boys to notice her beside me and like her. She wants a boyfriend.
"It's not like you, Kei."
The girl beside me said. She smiled at me.
This redhead is Emi Asaka. She's also using me for popularity. Her goal is to someday outlive me, though, as long as I'm in the school, that will never happen.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about what I wanted to eat tonight."
"You really had to think that much?"
Emi joked.
"Yeah!"
I smiled, though fake.
"Ah!"
A sound came from behind us.
A girl had dropped all of the stuff out of her bag. The girl panicked and started picking up her stuff. As she did, she dropped her things.
Emi and Risa laughed but I didn't.
Why?
Since she's probably the nicest girl in the class.
"Look at her, pathetic."
Risa whispered to Emi.
"Yeah, I didn't even notice her, she just blended in with the background."
Why am I even friends with these two? Even if they are fakes, I feel sick knowing that I hang out with them even outside of school.
I stood up.
"Huh? Kei?"
I walked over to the girl and began to pick her stuff up for her. She looked over at me.
"You're..."
I ignored her and put all of her stuff in her bag.
"There. Make sure to close it properly next time."
I smiled at her.
"T-t-t-thank you!"
"You're..."
I tried to remember her name. Suddenly, it came to mind.
"You're Arisu Aoi, aren't you?"
"Y-yes! T-thank you, Sasaki-san!"
She bowed, nervously.
"Just call me Kei."
Aoi looked up at me, shy.
"Kei-san."
"Just Kei."
"Uh, okay, Kei..."
Her voice trailed off.
She's a mess.
Her hair is mid-length but it's incredibly messy. No wonder girls bully her. I loved the colour of her hair though. Her hair colour was a light zenith blue.
Her eyes were also a similar colour, but I couldn't tell due to her red frame glasses. I feel like with her, if she fixed her timid attitude and posture, took off her glasses and fixed her hair, she'd probably be prettier than me.
"Oi, Kei, why'd you help her?"
Emi asked rather sourly.
"Why not?"
I told them.
"We could've had a fun time watching her trying to pick her stuff back up again."
Risa uttered.
"I don't know about you but I don't find pleasure in other people's problems and suffering. Whoever does must be pathetic."
I said, picking up my bag.
Both Emi and Risa were angry and humiliated from behind me.
The only reason I could tell was due to my Singularity. With it, I can observe emotions. Though sometimes, it can be a hassle, I've gotten control over it, mostly. It's been helpful in helping me decide who to and who to not trust. Such as Emi and Risa.
I wonder if I was normal, would I be tricked and betrayed by them, eventually?
If I wasn't pretty, would I be like them?
Are they considered as normal? I wonder...
Man... I'm hungry as hell.