Endless Pain Page 1 Chapter 6: A whole week.
(Inside Nilo's class)
It's been a week since I started at K High and had that conversation with the three.
During the week various students came to talk to me asking questions about where I was from, what kind of music I liked, if I had any hobbies to speak of and more.
Only Silvia has continued speaking to me; the others don't avoid me but aren't interested in striking up a conversation with me.
As for Satomoto, Yotsuba and Seikrei, they have not spoken to me ever since which I find most welcoming.
I observed all the students in my class and none struck me as someone outstanding or that caught my eye.
However, there is an empty seat in the last row next to the window which Silvia has told me belongs to a famous student who is regularly absent because of her work.
Perhaps this mysterious student has something special given her supposed work.
Hiroshi, the person who demanded an apology, has not bothered me since. I guess that Satomoto has told him to stay away from me which I find odd because Satomoto would always go to great lengths to bother Ryoto in the past.
Well I am not complaining, it's a good thing.
One thing that has stuck in my head was what Satomoto said ("You should visit them")
Perhaps I really should, that's something that I can worry about at a later date.
Our teacher is kind to her students Ms Nakata is in my opinion too lenient, various students have been late to class and have not done their homework and her response is "Please don't do it next time"
Which is why half of the class is undisciplined and do what they want without fearing the consequences.
I don't know why she teaches that way. I have a hunch there is a big reason for it.
Whatever it is as long as it doesn't involve me I won't pursue it.
Now rather than focusing on matters such as these, what I should concern myself with is making a living to pay for my apartment and utilities.
It's been 3 weeks since I came here. Master only provided me with one month of funding. I need to find a way to make enough money while not interfering in my school life.
Fortunately, I don't have a high priority spending on luxury as I have observed with my classmates, many of the female students wear expensive arm juries, earrings and necklaces.
Many of the male students have handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch and play games in multiplayer.
I have been checking online and applied to a few part-time job listings I also had 2 interviews. Fingers crossed at least one of them is accepting me.
"Nilos." Silvia is knocking me out of my thoughts.
"You seem to be in deep thought. I hope you are okay…" Silvia over the past week has been friendly with me, she has taken time out of her own to show me around the school.
She also eats lunch while striking up conversations.
"I'm fine. Just had some trains of thought."
She should be able to make friends with her friendly attitude yet over the week she mostly spends time with me.
The first expression I had with the other classmates avoiding her was not an illusion, classmates did avoid speaking to her and stared at her with disgust.
I also pick up on trash talk surrounding her such as "She acts so smug" or "Look at her disgusting smile"
What stands out the most is students spreading rumours about her past apparently, she was involved in an incident that left her best friend in a canna tonic state.
Although there is no evidence to support this her friend being in a coma makes it impossible to ask her directly, despite that the students were quick to believe her being at fault.
That solves why she is being shunted by the students.
"Nilos, have you done the assignment that is due today?" She speaks about the math assignment on algebra, we had to solve 50 algebra equations.
"Yes. Have you?"
"Yup! Would you like to compare answers until Ms Nakata arrives?" There is no harm in doing that.
We both open our math books and lay them next to each other.
"Hmm?" Silvia has a surprising look on her face.
"Is there something wrong? We have the same answers." Our answers are the same but I am not sure why she has the surprising look on her face.
"Well… you didn't show the steps on how you got the answers." Now I see why she has that look, the algebra questions have small boxes underneath for calculating the steps necessary to get to the answer.
All her boxes are filled with calculations whereas mine are all empty.
"I did the calculations in my head." I looked at the questions and answered them it took me on average 3 seconds to solve an equation.
"In your head? That's impressive Nilos."
I am unsure how to respond I hope a thank you will do.
"Thank you."
Silvia responds with a smile.
At that moment Ms Nakata walks into the class.
The students take their seats without saying a word.
"Good Morning everyone!" Ms Nakata as usual is extending a warm welcome to the whole class.
The class responds with a warm greeting.
"I hope everyone has done the algebra equations over the weekend." Ms Nakata is asking the students to pass down the workbook.
With the workbooks on her desk, the door to the class slides open and a student is walking inside.
A female student is walking inside.
She is tall, with long red hair and green eyes.
"Hello! Long time no see!" She is energetic and seems happy to be here.
Many of the students, especially the males are excited to see her.
"She is back!"
"We are happy you are back Alicia!"
"We watched your performances!
That girl who just walked into the class is Alicia Wonders, she is part of an idol group Sparkle.
I haven't known them for long, I have come to know them by seeing them in adverts on bus stations, posters and adverts on various social media.
They have been on a 2-month tour all around the country.
I am surprised that we have such a famous person in our class.
Most famous kids would go to private school or be homeschooled to avoid over-obsessive fans.
Curious why she chooses to attend a public school.
"I've missed you all!"
"You as well Ms Nakata! How have you been?"
She even asks about the teacher's well-being, not only is she beautiful and cheerful with an overwhelming positive attitude she also shows interest in people's lives that are close to her.
Now I get the reason for the class reaction, Ms Nakata also has a bright smile symbolising her joy that Alicia Wonders is back.
"I'm doing well. We missed you, welcome back Alicia."
"Thank you. It's great to be back."
Alicia walks to the seat at the window which solves the mystery of who that seat belongs to.
She sits on her chair and takes her books out.
"I appreciate you doing all the work I have sent you, Alicia?" Ms Nakata must have sent the school materials she missed over the last 2 months via e-mail.
"No problem, it was fun doing them."
Glancing over at Seikrei who sits in the same row 2 seats ahead of Alicia is not paying her any attention.
She didn't even look at her once.
I think there is a reason as to why. Perhaps a quarrel between the two of them? Or perhaps the fact that Seikrei is an individual who thrives by dominating others, is something which cannot be done to Alicia. She is a famous idol after all.
In terms of the social hierarchy, she is beyond Seikrei.
Hmm…perhaps she feels threatened by Alicia… interesting if that's the case it could become useful to me.
I must admit seeing Seikrei like that is surprisingly satisfying.
Silvia is also cheerful to see Alicia, could it be that Alicia does not gossip about Silvia? Who knows?
(Break time)
"Enjoy your break!" Ms Nakata leaves the class for her break.
"Are you staying here?" Silvia is asking about my plans during the break.
"Yeah." It's only 15 minutes long, no reason for me to leave the class.
"Hey!" A voice calls out beside me.
I turn my head to the right to see Alicia waving her hand at me.
"You're new here, aren't you?"
"I am." She comes to greet me, what a pain this will attract unnecessary attention from the other students.
"I am Alicia. What's your name?" She reaches out her hand to shake mine.
I shake her hand.
"Nilos."