As expected, although disappointing, the door to the roof was locked. Nothing a good old fireman kick can't solve. A bit startled by my forceful entry, komi still followed me through the door
I planned to spend my break just enjoying some peace and quiet, lying on the roof. Komi after some hesitation joined me in my relaxation sesh, sitting down next to my lying form, leaving a decent gap between us.
I don't know how long I just laid there but I decided to break the silence and rip the band aid off at the same time. " I'm guessing you have some sort of communication problem. "
Glancing at Komi, I saw how tense my question made her but seeing that I was looking at her, she stiffly nodded. My gaze went back to the clear blue skies." Relax. I wouldn't have saved you only to bully you about it afterwards. "
I took out some snacks I didn't know when I put them in my bag but found none the less and offered some to Komi who gratefully accepted.
Getting Komi to view me as her first friend wouldn't be all that hard. I'm pretty sure this act alone planted that seed in her mind at the very least. The problem was Tadano. For one, I needed to ensure they weren't left alone.
Tadano probably already knew of Komi's communication disorder and the simple fact that they sat next to each other meant that sooner or later, he would most likely address it like in the anime. Unless I managed to mix the seats up a bit.
I was so deep in my thoughts that time went by too fast for me to notice, the gentle poking of Komi alerting me to the fact that we needed to get to class as break had ended. Luckily, she didn't seem to take my silence badly, an appreciative smile still on her face when she looked at me.
What a sweet girl.
We walked together back to class and I felt the glares of everyone around. Unlike Tadano, I couldn't give two fucks so I ignored them completely. I doubted this would be the last time I would be stared at like this. I was a bit impressed with how much murderous intent was behind those glares considering that everyone here were just regular highschoolers or maybe they weren't, who knew with anime worlds.
Taking a glance at the still-unconscious protagonist while I made my way back to my seat, another little plan came to mind. The teacher had yet to come back and this played perfectly into my plan. Taking a look down at my sunbaked table, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
Everyone was already at their tables, chatting and waiting for the teacher so when I stood up and left the class, getting a few stares along the way. Leaning on the wall beside the class door, I waited patiently for the teacher who came only a minute after I left the class. Seeing me, the plain-looking glasses-wearing teacher put on a frown. If her personality matched her looks, this plan just became foolproof.
" Sorry sensei. I just had two problems that I wanted to discuss privately. " She seemed to think about it for a second before nodding.
" Well, first there's a boy. Tadano I think it was, who had been sleeping since around the morning when we arrived till now. I just wanted to know if there was a reason or... " I stopped, allowing her to come to her own conclusions.
" Hmm, I'll have to see if this is the case but thank you for notifying me. Now what was the other problem? " she said, clear and cut.
" The sun. It's been disturbing me so I was wondering if I could move. " Her gaze bore into mine, seemingly searching for something. A glint of realisation crossed over her face a few moments later.
" Is that so? "She asked, her suspicion evident.
" Indeed. You would merely need to glance at where I sit and you would see how distracting it is, and it would only get worse as the day progresses. "
I made sure to keep a neutral face during the entire conversation so her analytical gaze only met what was equivalent to a brick wall.
She merely nodded and with that, our conversation ended. Walking back into class with the teacher right behind me, I took my seat. The teacher greeted everyone but her eyes were on Tadano immediately. Seeing the boy not even look up, she immediately called out to him. Getting no response after the third time, she instructed Komi to wake him up which she did with mild difficulty.
The boy looked out of it when he thankfully woke up till he met the teacher's stern gaze. " If you thought you could merely sleep through my class, you have another thing coming, young man. Since it's the first day, I'll only be giving you a warning but I'd like to keep a closer eye on you so why don't you move to the front? "
{ Ensure the protagonist gets into trouble with the school:1/20}
Huh, neat.
Anyway, the question was more of an order which Tadano followed swiftly. The teacher then sent a glance my way and I gestured at my tanning desk.
There were no curtains, at least not yet so my excuse to move was rather reasonable. She nodded at me and I had to suppress the smile on my face as I pretended to look around before just shrugging and lazily making my way to the nearest desk to mine which happened to be Tadano's old seat.
To sell the fact that I only chose it for convenience, I didn't look at Komi, just looking forward with a bored expression.
With that, I greatly lessened the chance of Tadano and Komi becoming friends.
*****
Lessons continued normally after that and when gym class came around, Komi joined unlike the anime, though we just sat outside. Oh yeah, Tadano was there too but I couldn't care less about him at the moment.
When the last lesson of the day ended, I began stretching and yawning. School was boring as fuck. I couldn't wait to get the hell out. Just as I had finished packing and was about to make my leave, I glanced around the class. Surprisingly, people weren't crowding Komi. People were more interested in going home. She did get more than a few glances and goodbyes but that was a given.
Glancing back at Komi, I found her staring at me. She looked like she had something to say so I took out my exam pad with a pen and handed it to her. " Use this to speak. "
With slight trembling fingers, Komi took the pad and pen, writing like she hadn't finished a test a teacher was about to take. When she finished, she shyly showed it to me. -Thank you for being so kind and patient with me today. I really appreciate your friendship. Can I please know your name?-
Brief confusion hit me till I realised that I hadn't introduced myself since we met. With amusement colouring my tone, I answered. "Oh yeah. How could I forget such a thing? It's Darius. Darius Kingston. "
" Anything else you want to say. " I added as I sat down again, Komi scribbled some more then gave me the exam pad.
-How did you know about my communication problem? And why did you choose to help me?-
Cause I saw it in an anime and I've been tasked to steal you away from the protagonist.
" I helped you 'cause I wanted to. Plus, the fact that you're pretty cute helped me decide." I said, putting on my most charming grin. I felt myself slightly cringe inside my words. If I wasn't in an anime and talking to someone like Komi, I would never say such cheesy shit.
Komi's cheeks flushed before she turned slightly away from me, hands covering her face. Damn, I didn't find many things cute but this was one of them.
" Judging by how everyone acted throughout the day, I'm sure I'm the only one who noticed your issue so you don't have to worry about that. " I, still amused, added.
It seemed my explanation broke her out of... I don't even know what to call that. An embarrassment cocoon?
Whatever.
She broke out of it and stared at me, gratitude and relief shining through her eyes. Damn, I kinda feel bad for stealing her away from Tadano. She was such a sweet girl and i was a bastard. Tadano was a better man than I was.
Nahhh, I don't care that much.
" Anything else? "
-I have to thank you again for being so understanding and patient with me. Is there anything I can do to help you in return?-
I stood up with a yawn. " Nah. I don't need anything. " Just as I said that, a brain blast hit me. "Actually, I do. I want your number. "
Back came the crimson Komi. She still managed to nod in agreement. Fingers still trembling but quicker in pace, Komi wrote down her phone number on the exam pad and handed it to me.
Saving the number, I decided to send Komi a quick text.
Darius: See you around.
While Komi was still flipping on her phone, I began to make my way out, and from the corner of my eye, I saw her lookup as I was leaving." You can keep the pad and pen by the way. "
With that, I was off.