I approached the large double doors that lead into the school building. There seemed to be some kind of event at the school gates. I wasn't sure what it was, but I continued on my way regardless.
I entered the empty classroom and sat down, opening my book and reading silently. Suzumi and Akamine entered shortly afterward. They were chatting about something. A new student of some kind. I pushed my hair up out of my face as they approached.
"Mizune, did you hear? We're getting a new student. Supposedly, she was dropped off in a limousine!" Akamine spoke to me, interrupting my reading. I was slightly annoyed, but didn't show it.
Ah, so that was it then? A new student had caused the commotion at the gate. I closed my book, not even bothering to mark the page. "I see. Thank you for the information."
Suzumi and Akamine seemed at a loss for words. Akamine was the less reserved one, and she seemed to catch on that I didn't care. "Aren't you the least bit curious? Also, are you alright? You're always so...cold."
I sighed. "I just am this way, and no, I don't care about a new student. My life won't change, so why does it matter?" I thought about telling Suzumi off, having to break her heart would be an acceptable risk. Ultimately, I would have to do it later, because the teacher entered and students soon began to funnel in.
The teacher stood at her podium. A blue-haired girl was standing nearby as well. The girl seemed confident, unimpeded by life. The teacher began an introduction. "We have a new student enrolling. Her name is Horishia Ayame."
I noted that her hair was most definitely dyed; the color of her roots was showing through. They were dark brown, and she had bright green, almost blue, eyes.
The teacher looked around the room and saw me reading. She smirked in smug satisfaction. "Horishia, you can sit next to Mizune. Mizune, please share your notes and workbook with her."
I looked up, sighing before moving my chair closer to the window. Horishia smiled softly and approached my desk. I set my workbook on the desk and continued reading.
She sat next to me, rather heavily. She was trying to draw my attention. "Where are your notes?"
I didn't bother to look up from the book in my hand. "Don't have any. Buy some from someone else, or convince the teacher."
She didn't react, merely nodded in response. I didn't speak to her or pay attention for the rest of the class. I'm pretty sure the teacher was going over Shakespeare's "Macbeth".
Suzumi kept glancing over at us. I would have no choice but to snip her blooming bud of love early. I didn't want her to turn into a stalker I had to avoid, and she did seem to be going in that direction. Well, maybe I was just paranoid.
Horishia seemed to be a diligent girl. She made sure to take well-oriented notes during the lecture. They weren't sloppy and her handwriting was elegant.
The girl turned to me when the bell rang. "Do you want to borrow my notes?" It was a weird thing to ask, considering I was sitting next to her the whole time.
It sounded like a pleasant gesture, an offer of friendship. I looked up, closing the book in my hand. There was a brief look of sadism on her face. Maybe I imagined it, but I haven't had hallucinations in many many years. Needless to say, I was kind of intrigued.
Maybe I could indulge her for a time. "No need, but I have my notes in my dorm room if you are interested in getting them."
It was a lie, but maybe this girl could be somewhat entertaining. I could feel something drawing my attraction to her. It wasn't puppy love or some kind of love-at-first-sight bullshit. It was just two like-minded individuals.
She smiled. "Great! That would be awesome, Mizune!" Her voice was loud, and Suzumi heard it, her face scrunched into a jealous pang.
Horishia left the room, heading off to do some other kind of first-day activity. I stood up, and figured I might as well break her heart right here.
"Suzumi, I appreciate the gestures, but I'm incapable of feeling love. Sorry." It wasn't a blatant lie. I was incapable, but I wasn't sorry at all. I didn't say anything else, heading to a coffee shop nearby.
..... (Suzumi POV)
I..I stood there in silence. Mizune had. She had just..broke up with me? We weren't even dating, yet. Akamine put her hand on my shoulder. It was comforting, and I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. I wasn't sure what to do now. It all felt so...hopeless.
Mizune was always so pretty... Her aloof nature made her cold in a way that no one else ever was. Everyone around me was always warm and inviting. She was cold and closed, a girl who didn't care about anything. I always admired that. I cared about far too much all the time. I thought she might be the one to fix me, but I was wrong. She just made everything worse.
I hurriedly stood, rushing off to the restroom. I passed by Mizune, but she didn't even look at me. I could feel Akamine running after me, but I entered the bathroom and let go of my emotions.
.....(Mizune POV)
Akamine stopped me in the hallway. She seemed genuinely upset at my actions. Oh well, I didn't care really. It was a necessary precaution.
"Mizune, that was rude and uncalled for." She was trying to admonish me? When was the last time someone tried this?
"It needed to be done. Having her go further would only harm her." It was true, but it wasn't what I wanted to tell her. How could I even explain to this high school girl that I didn't care about anyone?
Akamine seemed to get visibly angry. I watched her face twist into a mask of anger. She reached up, attempting to slap me.
I grabbed her hand mid-slap. She was going to pay for that later. People had stopped their routines, watching us in anticipation.
I dropped her hand, and she stormed off towards the bathroom I saw Suzumi enter. I noticed Horishia looking at me from the crowd. She had a curious look on her face, and I just made my way outside, intending to visit the coffee shop. I could tell she was following me.
.....
I ordered the same thing I always did. A warm chamomile tea with no sugar. It cost a meager 20 points. Horishia approached me with some kind of trendy iced coffee in her hands. She sat down but didn't speak for a few minutes.
When the silence got to be too much for her, she spoke. "I saw what you did."
I didn't say anything, merely brought the warm tea up to my lips and took a sip. I internally remarked that her fake persona was very convincing.
She spoke again when she noticed I didn't say anything. "It was really brave. Having to hurt someone always sucks."
Ahh, but Horishia, I don't care about anyone. I didn't care about hurting her, I merely did it so she would leave me alone. I briefly thought about telling her that. After a few minutes, I finally spoke. "Do you still want those notes?"
She nodded, and the two of us walked off toward my room.
She didn't remark on anything in my room. She didn't seem to care about how clean, yet empty, my room was. I didn't say anything and merely sat down on my bed.
She seemed a bit confused and sat down in front of me. "Where are your notes?"
I shook my head. "I memorized the lecture, so I will just repeat it to you."
She seemed slightly shocked but merely nodded in response, taking out her notebook.
She listened to me repeat each lecture word for word. I had to ad-lib here and there to make up for the parts I dissociated on, but it was coherent nonetheless.
When we were finished, she sat back and smiled at me. "Thanks, Mizune."
I decided to ask. Maybe it was foolish, but I didn't care. "How long have you been putting up this facade?"
Her face seemed to lose all of its color, but I continued. "It has to be exhausting."
She turned away, avoiding my gaze, and I didn't say anything more. It took her a few minutes, but she did respond.
"How did you know?" Her voice was laced with venom, but I remained unphased.
"Since you asked me for my notes. I won't reveal you or anything. It's too troublesome. I was just curious." It was the truth, well, most of it. I thought it would be fun to maybe break her in the future.
Her eyes widened as she turned to look at me. Her face had taken on a more sinister expression. "I see...so you could read me that easily?"
I nodded. It wasn't just her, but pretty much everyone was easy to read when you know what to look for. She leaned closer to me, invading my personal space.
I didn't back down. Her invasion made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't show weakness. She got even closer and planted her lips on mine.