In the classrom, the familiar cacophony of a free period filled the air. Girls chatted animatedly, boys huddled over video games, and the classroom buzzed with energy. IM and I, seizing the opportunity amidst the chaos, slipped out to the school basketball court.
Thud! IM effortlessly sank a shot, the ball hitting the net with a satisfying sound.
"So, Lenna tried to run away?" he asked, dribbling the ball between his legs.
I nodded, leaning against the metal pole of the basketball hoop. "But I don't think I'm going to take her to the place she wants to go."
Tak Tak! IM continued to dribble, his gaze focused on the court.
"Then where are you going to take her?"
"My dimension," I replied, a thoughtful look crossing my face. "I'll take her somewhere she'd like... maybe a fantasy place where she can draw everything she wants."
IM nodded in approval, a smile playing on his lips. "That sounds perfect for her. She's always been so creative, always doodling in her notebooks during class."
"Yeah," I agreed, a fond smile tugging at my own lips. "I think she deserves a little escape from reality, a place where she can let her imagination run wild."
"But divorce, huh..." IM mused, shooting another basket. "That's tough. It can be really bad for a person's mental health, especially a young girl like her."
"Yeah, it could be devastating," I replied, my smile fading as I thought about the emotional toll Lenna was undoubtedly experiencing. "I just hope she finds some peace and solace in the dimension I create for her."
"Ah, also, Pila asked me to join the Quiz Competition," I mentioned casually, bouncing the basketball IM had passed to me.
IM walked towards me, hands on his hips, a playful smirk on his face. "Yeah, how about her boyfriend? Still jealous?"
I shrugged my shoulders, genuinely unbothered. "I'm just joining a quiz competition, not going on a date."
IM chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Xian. But just be careful. That guy seems like the type to hold a grudge."
"I can handle him," I replied confidently, bouncing the ball back to IM. "Besides, I'm not interested in Pila. I'm just doing this for the school."
Just then, a teacher's voice cut through our conversation. "You guys! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be studying!?" The teacher strode towards us, a stern expression on her face.
IM and I exchanged a sheepish glance, caught red-handed skipping class. The teacher, her arms crossed and her lips pursed in disapproval, stood before us, tapping her foot impatiently. The air crackled with tension, her disapproval radiating from her like a heat wave.
"Well?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Care to explain yourselves?"
"It's a free class," I offered, my voice calm but slightly hesitant.
She tapped her foot on the ground, her impatience growing. "Who's the teacher?"
"Mr. Chory," IM added. "He said he had to attend to a family matter."
The teacher's expression softened slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "Mr. Chory, huh?" she repeated, a sigh escaping her lips. "Well, I suppose that explains it. But that doesn't mean you two get to slack off."
She pointed towards the school building. "Get back to class, both of you. And next time, try to be a little more responsible."
"Teacher, it seems like you go to the salon often?" I asked suddenly, changing the subject.
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Eh, you noticed... ehe, yeah... a bit."
"I can see your hair is so soft," I said, showing her my long hair. "I want to take care of mine just like yours."
She nodded, offering a helpful tip. "Yeah, you just need to go to the salon monthly, not too often."
"Thank you for the advice, Miss," I said with a smile, appreciating her willingness to share her beauty secrets.
IM chuckled beside me, "And don't forget to use a good shampoo, Xian."
The teacher laughed, her stern demeanor momentarily forgotten. "Yes, that's important too," she agreed. "Now, off you go. Back to class!"
With a final salute, IM and I turned and headed back towards the school building, leaving the teacher with a bemused smile on her face. It was a brief but pleasant interaction, a reminder that even amidst the chaos and danger of our superhero lives, there were still moments of normalcy and connection to be found.
As we walked down the hallway, the usual sounds of school life surrounded us - the chatter of students, the rustling of papers, the occasional squeak of a door opening and closing.
As we passed by the various club rooms lining the hallway, snippets of conversations drifted out, catching my attention.
"...heard they're planning a big event next week," a voice said from behind a closed door.
"Really? What kind of event?" another voice responded, filled with curiosity.
"Something about showcasing our school's talents," the first voice continued. "There'll be performances, competitions, and even a fashion show!"
IM nudged me playfully. "Maybe you should participate, Xian. You could showcase your superhero suit."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right. I'm not sure the school board would approve of that."
We continued walking, the sounds of the bustling school fading into the background as we approached our classroom. The conversation about the upcoming event, however, lingered in my mind. It sounded like a fun and exciting opportunity for the students to express themselves and celebrate their talents.
But as I stepped into the classroom, my thoughts quickly shifted back to the more pressing matters at hand.
***
The next day, as I sat by the window, gazing out at the bustling schoolyard below, a familiar voice broke through my thoughts. "Xian, come follow me."
I turned to find Pila standing beside me, her expression a mix of determination and anxiety.
"Where to?" I asked, curious about her sudden request.
"The library," she replied, her voice a bit rushed. "The teacher gave me the details about the quiz competition. We need to start preparing."
I nodded, a sense of duty replacing my initial surprise. "Alright, let's go."
We left the classroom, the chatter and laughter of our classmates fading as we entered the quieter corridors of the school library. The air was filled with the comforting scent of old books and the soft rustling of pages turning.
Pila led me to a secluded corner, where a table was already piled high with textbooks and reference materials. "Here," she said, gesturing towards the table. "I've gathered everything we might need."
I sat down, impressed by her efficiency. "Looks like you've been busy," I remarked, a smile tugging at my lips.
Pila blushed slightly. "Well, I want to make sure we're well-prepared," she explained, her voice a bit hesitant. "This competition is important to me. I really want to win."
Her words echoed my own thoughts from the previous day. I, too, was determined to win, not just for the school's sake, but also for Pila. She deserved to have her moment of triumph, to prove her worth to herself and to others.
"We will," I assured her, my voice filled with confidence. "Together, we'll win this."
Pila slid a sheet of paper across the table, her expression a mix of determination and anxiety. It was filled with sample quiz questions, covering a wide range of topics – history, literature, science, mathematics, and even pop culture. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, a daunting challenge for even the most studious student.
I glanced over the questions, my mind already processing the information at lightning speed. My enhanced cognitive abilities, a gift from my Imaginary powers, allowed me to absorb and analyze the material with ease.
"Are you sure it's okay for us to be alone here?" I asked, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Won't your boyfriend get jealous?"
"...He and I are already over, you know," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
< Chapter 195 > Fin.