This was it. The last entrance ceremony I would ever go to. The final year at a human school. Before I could leave this life behind forever. No more humans. No more bullying. No more feeling out of place.
It was a cold, rainy day. The smell of wet clothes filled the auditorium. Our principle stood on the stage, welcoming new students and greeting the old. Cracking jokes to empty laughter. Or maybe the students enjoy it. Maybe they smile. Maybe they want to be here. I don't know. I stopped looking up a long time ago.
A thunderous applause spreads across the auditorium, jolting me out of my thoughts. Startled, I cover my ears as girls and boys alike start cheering for something. For someone. A name. Unable to bear the noise, I try to squeeze my way out of the crowd, getting shoved left and right at this onslaught of crazed fans. Someone grabs my arm and guides me through the crowd. A yokai? No, a human. A flash of jet-black hair, piercing green eyes, weaving in and out of the crowd. Until we reach an exit, darting to the side of the building.
"Who-?"
"Shhhh!" She crouches down, letting her hair touch the floor, putting her hands to her lips. She points to the area we came from, letting me poke my head around the corner. The principle rushes to lead everyone back inside, as people wearing fan merchandise and holding glow sticks frantically look around. The same people who started cheering. I look back at the girl, connecting the dots. They were probably looking for her. "Are they gone?" She mouths. I shake my head, waiting for the crowd to disperse.
A few minutes later, I peek my heart around the corner, checking again. The front is empty and the principle's voice starts echoing again. "All clear." I say. She breathes a sigh of relief before her hair falls off. A wig. She puts it down, before starting to . . . take off her skirt? "Have some decency!" I say, turning my back to her. She laughs, but it sounds odd.
"Decency, eh?" A voice, low and rich, responds. I turn back, and standing before me is not a girl but a boy wearing the same uniform as me, with dark, royal blue hair. The only thing that's the same is his eyes. "Sorry about that. Bet you wished it was a cute girl instead." He laughs again.
"Crossdressing? Interesting hobby." I say, keeping my voice flat.
"Funny joke. You saw how they were acting. My manager lent this to me," He huffs. "You could at least say 'thank you.'"
"You're right. Thank you for helping me out of a frenzy that you caused." I reply. "I should head back now."
"That's it? Meet an idol and that's your reaction?" An idol? He does have the build and looks.
"That explains a lot." I sigh.
He grins. "Wow, you really don't care."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, no! It's refreshing, actually. What's you name?"
So that's why he helped me. He didn't know who I was. Pretending to be a hero, saving anyone who needs saving. Disgusting. "You don't need to know. You probably won't even see me at school. Nothing good will come out of talking to me." I turn and start walking back to the auditorium. No reply. Typical.