"Ma-Maybe I made a mistake.... I was probably too engrossed in my music to hear her thoughts...."
That wouldn't explain why I couldn't hear her thoughts after I fell and tried to confirm it.
"Or maybe intense shock temporarily disables this curse...."
That doesn't account for the fact that I didn't notice her till we collided.
"Maybe it was a combination of the two.... Just a misunderstanding caused by a series of coincidences...."
"....just a series of coincidences, a series of coincidences...."
I kept muttering those words to myself like a sutra as I made my way back to class.
It took a couple hours for me to settle down and assess my situation.
"My mind reading seems to be working fine, the 'noise' from those around me proves it. The question is, did I only imagine it or can I truly not read her mind? If it's the latter then why?"
She was alive, at least I think she was and she definitely was not an animal. So then....
"Perhaps she's just like me or has a curse that blocks mind reading? Either way, I'm kinda curious. Wait—"
I was lost in thought that I forgot something rather important. From her point of view, I ran away after bumping into her like some sort of criminal with something to hide.
*Sigh
"I should probably go apologize...."
That'll also give me an opportunity to confirm once and for all if she's immune to my curse.
As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of classes for the day, I headed straight for the library before Michelle got the chance to hound me.
Although the chances of that girl being at the library was slim, I just couldn't wait till the next day to quell my curiosity.
I stepped into the library and searched from top to bottom. To no one's surprise, she was nowhere to be seen.
I decided to borrow the light novel I came for during the lunch break since I was already at the library. I removed the book from the shelf and headed to check-out.
"All clear. Make sure to return it within a week, okaay?"
The female student at the counter said with a smile that screamed 'customer service'. I guess the librarian was still at the faculty meeting so this girl had to fill in.
Aside from her 'bob cut', she had no real distinguishing features unless you count her sparkling personality. I guess you could say she's average in every sense of the word—brown hair, brownish eyes and maintaining her customer service smile.
According to her thoughts, regular textbooks and materials have a return period of 14 days, while mangas and light novels are due in seven— I didn't have the courage to ask for details myself, it's actually been a while since I've directly spoken to another human being.
Aside from all that, there was actually something within her whirlpool of thoughts that could make my commute halfway productive.
"H-Hey, I'm actually..... looking for someone."
"Huh?"
Gosh, communication's a lot harder than I remember.
" Well, she's about 2-3 inches shorter than me, she has black hair and blue eyes.....and..... hmmm, how do I put this....?"
"....She's big where it counts?"
"Exactly!"
She caught my drift!, I sincerely apologize for calling you average, library girl.
"You must be talking about Sara, why are you looking for her though?"
"Huh? Oh, never mind."
"Hmmm, if you say so."
I left the library with the book in my hand.
While her words may not have been much, her thoughts gave me a little bit more information to work with.
Our mysterious girl's full name is Sara O'Neil. She's a second year just like I am and she frequents the library during lunch breaks, sometimes to read and other times to chat with the library girl.
At the very least, I should be able to see her at the library tomorrow.
********************
The very next day I attended school with a spring in my step. I was actually looking forward to seeing Sara O'Neil— I guess it's been so long since I'd encountered an actual mystery that I couldn't help but feel excited.
"You seem to be in a good mood today....."
I kept walking, ignoring the queen bee buzzing behind me.
"Well, you see, the thing is..... Some friends and I are having a little party at my house this weekend and I was wondering if you'll.... like to come?"
She had an expression that'll make any man's heart skip a beat— Well, any man who can't read minds anyway.
"Well, how was that? My cuteness and speech pattern is guaranteed to make any man do my bidding. It doesn't matter how stubborn you are, there's no way you can resist me. Now then, accept my invitation like the pathetic little dog you are. Well?, well?, well?, well?, WEEEELLLL!?"
Her thoughts were as rude as ever. Well, if Michelle King has one good quality, I'd say it's persistence.
We were approaching the classroom so I decided to at least respond.
"Hey, tell me..."
"Gotcha"
Quit jumping the gun queen bee.
"..... What do you know about Sara O'Neil?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
I entered the classroom and headed for my seat.
Her reply might've been short but her thoughts had a lot more to say.
"The first time Adam talks to me and what I hear is the name of that sh**ty bi*bo?! She thinks because she's got huge sacks of meat she can try to steal my man? No, no, no, that sl*t has another thing coming. That ******* ******** ***** ...."
Her flame raged on for another 30 minutes.
While her thoughts were mostly filled with swears and curses, I managed to get a bit more information on the girl known as Sara O'Neil.
Among the second years, she seems to be just as popular as Michelle although she mostly keeps to herself.
She's been confessed to multiple times by classmates, underclassmen and upperclassmen alike, but she turned them all down. If Michelle's the school sweetheart, then Sara is the ice queen.
"And that's who I intend to apologise to? It kinda feels like I'm trying to fight a boss monster with level one gear, what a pain!"
There was one silver lining though. She seems to be into the paranormal and other supernatural stuff.
Maybe if I tell her I can read minds that'll break the ice? No, she'll just ask me to read her mind and that's where I'd fail.
I spent most of my time before break contemplating on how best to approach her.
*Ding dong ping pong
The bell to signal my death march reverberated through the halls.
I got my daily ritual of folding Brock out of the way then headed for the library.
I slid open the door and scanned the room. There, I found Sara O'Neil seating alone reading a book.
"H-Hey, sorry to bother you...."
She directed her piercing gaze towards me.
"I-I'm Adam Graves from class 2-1. I wanted to apologize for..... bumping into you yesterday."
"Ohh, you're the guy who ran from me like I was some kind of monster yesterday."
"I'm really sorry about that!"
I bowed my head to express my sincerity.
More importantly, it seems like I really can't read her mind.
"I accept your apology so stop bowing like that, it's really embarrassing"
She said as her cheeks turned a little red.
I noticed what she was reading and decided to lock in while I was here.
"You're reading about the 'Teke Teke'?"
"You're interested in urban legends?!"
She asked, her face beaming with joy.
"W-Well, I know a few stories, though I'm not much of a believer"
I technically wasn't lying. While it's true that I gooogled urban legends in class while preparing for the meeting and happened to see a story on the 'Teke Teke', it's not a lie cause it still counts as my knowledge.
By the way, the 'Teke Teke' is a legend about the ghost of a schoolgirl whose body was split apart by a train. Apparently, she lurks in train stations at night and since she lost her lower body, travels with her hands, dragging her upper torso and making a 'teke teke' sound— from her body dragging the concrete.
"Have a seat! I'll make a believer out of you if it's the last thing I do"
"But I....."
"....Think of it as recompense for running from me yesterday."
She said with a cheerful smile.
We spent quite a bit of time chatting—well, arguing. She presented paranormal legends and ghost stories while I countered with logical rebuttals. That was probably the most fun I've had since getting cursed with this power.
"....Aside from random ghost stories, there is one that happened quite recently right here at our school"
"Is that so?"
"Fufufu, this story is called 'The Phantom of the music room' "
She had my undivided attention.
"A little over a month ago, the music teacher headed to the music room to collect some notes. Before she opened the door, he heard the piano playing but when she opened the door, there was no one in the room. Catch is, the only door in and out of the room was unlocked by the music teacher and only she had the key."
"Interesting...."
"Also, the music playing was an original from a former student who died there, spooky right?"
Indeed. Especially since she said it actually happened at our school.
"Maybe someone was inside from the start, then hid in a secret compartment the teacher overlooked?"
"The incident happened three times this month, with each incident raising the teacher's anxiety. I find it hard to believe she overlooked a spot"
"Then maybe it was a recording?"
" We can rule that out as well because—"
"SARA!"
A voice I recognized called out from behind.
It was library girl.
"*pant pant—Trouble. The....phantom. It stole.... something..... this time."
"Let's go!"
Sara said to me rather enthusiastically.
We headed to music room on the other side of the building. I made a pit-stop at the cafeteria on the way to energize myself.
Upon reaching the music room we met two people inside— A female teacher probably mid twenties, with blond hair, blue eyes and a body I wouldn't mind getting behind if you know what I mean. Beside her was a tall, handsome and jealousy–inspiring third year with relatively long brown hair tied to the back and a face that screams 'Mr Popularity'.
"SARA, thank goodness you're here. Where's our resident sleuth? She's not with you today?"
"She's had some things to take care of so she's absent today. Guess you're stuck with me, fufu."
"Oohh, bummer—"
The teacher's chat with Sara went on for a little while before she turned to me to introduce us
"This is Adam Graves from class 2-1. Adam, I believe you know Ms Milligan?"
I don't. Although, I could've sworn I've heard that name somewhere. Oh—
"Bonus lady!"
"Huh?"
Miss Milligan was clearly confused.
"Huh? Did I say that out loud?"
"Yes!" Sara replied with an icy glare.
"Sorry"
At the very least, I can see why Mr McAdams thought she did something shady to get that teacher's bonus. Sara casually brought us back on topic
"Anyway, what happened in here?"
"Allow me to give a detailed account"
"And you are?"
"Come on, don't be like that Sara"
It seems Mr popularity's name is Miguel O'Hara, class 3-2 and vice president of the news paper club. He's also library girl's boyfriend.
"I came to the music room to ask Ms Milligan some questions then—"
"You sure you weren't making moves behind your girlfriend's back?"
Sara asked while maintaining her ice queen demeanor. Miguel let out a little frown then continued
"—Then, we suddenly heard the piano playing. Miss Milligan unlocked the door and when we entered, no one was there. Even worse, all the music club's trophies were missing"
"Trophies?" I asked.
Miguel ignored me but from his thoughts, it appears the music club keeps their trophies in the music room and since some of them are real gold, the motive for theft is quite reasonable.
"Anyway, I refuse to believe this is the work of some phantom, it's probably just a trick— one that would've had to be set up by the culprit today so I had someone fetch all the people who were in the music room today for at least 15 minutes so we can go over their testimonies"
He sure is proactive. And his girlfriend standing beside me seems to be equally as impressed.
Shortly after, the suspects arrived and we listened to their testimonies.
This was starting to feel like something out of a detective manga. We'll listen to testimonies, scramble for clues and give brilliant deduction while wrapping things up with the iconic "One truth prevails!", Sounds like fun.
At least it would if I couldn't read minds. Thanks to that, I already know who the culprit is.
What a pain!