First and second period came and went without a hitch. Well, except for when Mr. Takahashi did his signature surprise quiz. After a few months, you'd think we wouldn't be surprised anymore. But he somehow always finds a way to give his quizzes in the most unexpected moments. And because our class with him is chemistry, I'm not liking my odds with the results. But whatever, it's not like I'll fail the class from just one or two failed quizzes. Right?
But now's not the time to think about that. It's lunchtime and I refuse to let my second favorite part of the day be ruined. Asamura did try to coerce me into having lunch with her and Kurebayashi again, but I quickly shot her down. And I was pretty adamant about it as well. Partly because I really just wanted some time to be alone after all the socializing I've been doing the past week. Also, because now would be the perfect time to polish my thoughts.
For today, I've decided to have my lunch at the staircase leading to the roof of the main building. Of course, the door to the roof is locked. But my aim isn't to get to the roof, but rather just stay on the stairs leading up to it. You see, it's a well known "fact" that this staircase is haunted by the spirit of a student who died when she slipped and fell. That's why no one ever dares to come here out of fear of being haunted. This makes it the perfect spot to go to when you want to be alone or want to have a supernatural experience.
And so, I make my way up the floors of the main school building until I finally reach the haunted staircase. I take a seat on the middle steps, out of view from anyone passing by on the hallway below. I take out my cheese omelet sandwich and take a few bites to get myself ready to start thinking.
"Let's see… Guess I should start with piecing it all together for now."
I mumble to myself before taking another bite of my sandwich. As things stand, there's practically no way we will ever get Takamoto to back off of Inoue. Things have gotten way too serious for misdirection to work.
"It's supposed to be out of our hands now. Man, why did she have to go and take on such an impossible task?"
But oh well, that's how things are with Kurebayashi. And I did make a big deal about joining the club and all, so I should put my money where my mouth is since this is technically my first official task as a club member.
"Gotta just get this over with. Now, what did Kurebayashi say again…? Oh right, something about communication."
Like I said earlier, she does have a good point about communication being the solution to this problem. If only Suzuki properly explained to Takamoto how he felt and not left her hanging, then Takamoto might not have felt betrayed. And if Takamoto actually told Suzuki about her feelings, then she could have gotten everything off her chest and not feel the need to terrorize Inoue.
"That's a lot of ifs. Honestly, there's no point in dwelling on it now that it's too late."
Is it really too late though? Sure, things have reached the boiling point. But I still feel like it would all blow over if both Takamoto and Suzuki would just clear the air and address each others' issues.
"Yeah, that could still work… But how would we even get them to talk to each other? If someone even mentions Suzuki to her, she will for sure punch the living daylights out of them."
Yep, that's true. I don't know anyone brave or suicidal enough to tell Takamoto to have a talk with Suzuki while she's in her current mood. Unless… Oh man, I just got an idea but I really don't like it. Come on brain, you can do better than that! Think! For the love of god, think!
Ten minutes later
I've finished my sandwich and drank my water bottle to the last drop. Still, I wasn't able to think of anything better.
"Damn it… Why do I always go for the seedy methods?"
If I didn't know any better, I'd say that I have the makings of being a potential psychopath. But I am capable of empathy, sympathy, and whatever other kind of pathy there is. So that makes me a sane person I think. Though I doubt any sane person would ever think of doing what I have in mind.
"Maybe I could have Kurebayashi or Asamura do it instead…?"
Nah, I don't think it'll work with them. It has to be someone Takamoto hates. Someone who can push her buttons to the utmost limit. And most important of all, someone who can actually run.