The next day I came to class early so I could confront Kagura. She must have gone through great lengths to do what she did, to be found so easily would definitely shock her and disorient her.
As to why I came early, it is because of two reasons.
She is a vice president so out of pure assumption, she should come early with Ito to clean the class. But in the case that I am wrong, at least I would be the first person to intercept her when she comes, though that is if she isn't with friends.
When I arrived at class I saw Ito cleaning alone, I didn't particularly want to help. I was already there so I might as well help a friend out.
"Hey Nakamura, you're early today. Don't suppose there's a special occasion?" He grinned at me.
"Oh, not really. Need a hand?"
"Na don't worry Kagura is on her way. But thanks anyway."
"No, don't worry, it's also my class after all."
"Don't worry I do this every day."
"I am worrying, just let me help."
"If you insist then okay."
This works in my favor, if I've already cleaned the class then Kagura won't need to do anything, and we can get straight to business.
"So, what should I do?"
"Uh, just arrange the chairs I've pretty much done everything else."
There was silence as I arranged the chairs, after Ito was done with cleaning the board he joined in and helped me.
After we were done, he let out a sigh of relief and then sat at his desk. I sat on the seat beside him, basically hinting that we should talk.
"So Nakamura, how is your experience at this school?"
"Frankly it's underwhelming, don't get me wrong. I love being free and all, but the school system feels too easy."
'The best way to get the right answer is not to ask a question, but to say the wrong answer.' This is a law— originally an internet law, it was popularized by Steven McGeady, a former intel executive and he credited it to Ward Cunningham, the creator of the first wiki—WikiWikiWeb.
Though it mostly applies to an internet setting, it can work in this kind of setting though it has a chance of not working on some people.
"Easy? Isn't that way too much of an understatement?"
"How so? As far I've seen this school is way too lenient."
"You do know that a student was expelled from this very class."
"That could be for a number of things."
"It was for failure in the exam we had last term." Ito said looking at the ground.
"I know it's a touchy subject, but I want to know how I'm wrong. It could help me to not make the same mistake."
"Kobayashi was a kind boy though a little bit perverted, so some girls disliked him." He paused momentarily then continued. "During the exam, he went against one of the rules that prohibited telling information to people, and that led to..." Ito just stared at the ground for awhile before he finally continued.
"Worst of all, I'm the one who told him to do it. I-I-I thought he'd blame me for his expulsion. Shin just said I should tell everyone that he's throwing in the towel early." He grimaced slightly.
I highly doubt he was the one who made Kobayashi get expelled but it seems he's the one who took the blame.
It must have really hurt him but judging from the way he phrased it I doubt they were close.
Probably along the lines of the relationship we have now. That amount of savior complex is too much for him to carry, if he's not careful it could really end up bad.
But back to how Kobayashi got expelled. It seems breaking one of the rules could get me expelled. Talk about strict though that might just apply to exams.
"I see, thanks for telling me it looked hard to do."
"Yeah. Though thanks to him, we passed through barely."
"I see."
"I AM HERE!!!" Kagura slid into the class. "Ito, do you know that reference?"
"Uh, no." He replied quickly, trying to cover up his sadness.
"Sorry for being late again. I'll come earlier tomorrow. Also, hey Nakamura."
"Hey, uh Kagura can we talk?"
"Ok, let's talk." She brought a chair to me and spun it around.
"It's about Suzuki." I said plainly.
If I say it like that then it's more than a good reason for Ito to not be interested. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy that's interested in other people's business.
"Uh sure, let's not talk here." Kagura said plainly as a grin was subtly forming at the corner of her mouth.
"Do you have any other place that we could talk at?"
"Yeah, follow me."
She led me to the library, took me to a secluded place, and sat me down beside her.
She probably thought I was lost because of her phone call, and I contacted her for her opinion.
"I'll start by saying I know it was you who called me." I said plainly as if I was talking about the weather.
"What?" The smug look on her face was wiped away and replaced with a raised eyebrow and widened eyes. She probably thought her plan was foolproof.
Though she hasn't ever called me, we had been friends for two weeks so of course I'd remember her voice.
"So will you deny?"
"..." She narrowed her eyes at me, biting her lip.
"Why'd you ask me to break up with Suzuki?"
"Why won't I? We have an 'asset' and you think I'll let Aiya throw that away, no I won't."
An 'asset?' Is she referring to me? What does she mean by 'throw away'?
"Ka—"
The bell rang before I could continue, and she just left. Classes went by quickly and I was about to go to the lavatory when a person yanked my clothes—it was Suzuki's friend, she was accompanied by another one of Suzuki's friends and Hayashi. They led me to their table and sat me down.
"Nakamura, Suzuki told us you and her were dating. We're here to confirm."
"We are, but can I know all your names?"
"Oh right, introductions. The name's Yoshida Aiko," she grinned.
"Mine's Kato Yua, and don't you forget it. Hmph," she looked away from me abruptly as if I had wronged her.
"My name is Hayashi Nanase." She said politely.
"Now back to the questions: How did you and Aiya start dating?" Yoshida asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Uh, I just accepted her confession and that's about it."
"Nakamura, I think you made a grammatical mistake don't you mean when you asked Aiya out, she accepted your confession?"
"Yoshida, I made no mistake. She's the one who asked me out."
"That makes no sen—Oh I see, Aiya asked you to fake being her boyfriend to prank us."
What kind of logic is that? So, she chooses to deny the truth. Well, if she doesn't believe it doesn't matter, I mean I gain nor lose anything.
"Aiko, why don't we call Aiya over and ask her?" Kato proposed, as Hayashi watched us—more specifically, she watched me.
The thing was whenever I looked toward her, she looked away. After a while, Aiya came over to the table and sat beside me.
"Aiya sorry to ask weird questions but did you ask Nakamura out?" Yoshida asked politely.
You had no problem dragging me here but suddenly when it's her turn you add 'sorry'.
"Yeah." Suzuki replied.
"So, he wasn't lying." Kato mumbled in shock.
"Oh right, I forgot to tell you guys that." Suzuki continued.
"How would you forget that major detail?!" Yoshida shouted in surprise.
The people beside us narrowed their eyes at us; I looked back as if saying, "I'm sorry they dragged me here."
After that, they went to girl talk and I tuned out my ears thinking about Kagura and what she could be hiding.
I mean on one hand I don't want to force her to tell me but, on the other hand, I wanna know why she doesn't want me dating Aiya.
After some time, I got tired of thinking and finally went to the restroom. After that I went to the library, I felt so happy I started making lunch though that might have been motivation since my balance was 63,900 RP.
The library was quite large as it was a separate building as big if not bigger than the learning area. It was also well air conditioned as well as having a place to get water.
The library itself was 3 floors—one for just normal library privileges, one for VIP library subscribers, and one for staff.
I went to the front desk and met the receptionist—a woman around the age of 25 to 30. She had messy black hair and didn't wear makeup. She looked like someone who had just woken up or rather someone who hadn't slept for the past few days.
"Good morning, ma'am."
"Morning, do you know your way around here or you need a tour?"
"It's my first time here so a tour would be—"
"Oh, so you know your way around here, then have a nice day."
"But—"
"Have a nice day."
Talk about bad service. I was lucky enough to have already read the school map, if I wasn't I would be stranded for a very long time.
I went around looking at the different sections; they had a lot even further dividing pre-existing genres. I eventually got a book and sat at the table where a black-haired girl with glasses was, I wanted to test something. I was reading a classic—Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I wasn't reading it cuz it was interesting or anything.
I read it because it was good at starting arguments, the arguments which at a statement along the lines of; 'If I were Raskolnikov, I wouldn't turn myself in.'
Which then ignites the flame for arguments, which is why I audibly said this.
"If I were Raskolnikov, I wouldn't turn myself in."
Though when I said that the girl remained quiet. It seems I need to be proactive.
"Hey, what do you think of this book? Don't you agree with my statement?"
"Talk about an attention-seeker." She mumbled under her breath, just enough so I could hear and enough to convey she doesn't want me to disturb her.
"Huh?"
"Nakamura or whatever your name is—I know you were seeking my attention; the question is why?" The black-haired girl fixed her gaze toward trying to find my hidden agenda.
Now I know for sure that some people know about me, but how and why, is still a mystery.
That's why I came here. That girl looked like a shut-in and that was what I needed. I mean I might have been overthinking it as it's possible that my awkward introduction warranted more attention than expected.
That being said I doubt she has more than 3 friends so how would she know me unless I was popular.
"Nakamura, earth to Nakamura. Don't think you can weasel your way out of this."
"I won't, I promise. I was thinking of what to say, well I'll be truthful I talked to you because... well I just wanted to talk." I feigned nervousness.
"Oh, is that right? Well then ok." She said grinning slightly. "I mean if you want to talk to me, how can I stop you? So, let's talk."
"Oh ok, back to Raskolnikov. I would never turn myself in."
"Then you're an idiot."
What about sugarcoating it?!!! Do you have no filter?
"I feel like just said what came to mind."
"Yeah, doesn't everyone do that?"
"No, it builds resentment."
"So you resent me?" her voice softened as she tightened her lips and bowed her head.
"Of course not, I mean why would I?" I replied cheering her up.
"I see, Nakamura will you be my friend?" she looked away, with reddened cheeks.
"Sure, am I by chance your first friend?"
"Huh? How did you know?"
"Well, you act like someone who reads a 'How To Make Friends' book." I joked.
"Nakamura are you a psychic?" she raised her left brow in suspicion.
"I'm not."
"I see, my expression gave it away, right?"
"Yeah."
"I see."
"Why don't you have friends?"
"…"
"I see, it's personal right?"
She nodded in affirmation.
"Don't worry, I won't pry into your life."
"Thanks for that."
We continued our discussion about crime and punishment, with her occasionally giving some verbal jabs, until the bell rang. I stood up to leave but the girl held onto my shirt.
"M-My name's Fujimoto Misaki, see you tomorrow." She grinned shyly.
I grinned back and left for class; I stared out the window of course. I was thinking about that black-haired girl.
The day went uneventfully until after school. After school, some boys came to me for some advice. They probably think I made Suzuki fall in love with me, not knowing I have no idea why she fell in love with me. What's really surprising is how fast it spread.
"Nakamura-sensei where are you ?!!!" some boys screamed in unison.
I went to hide in the school garden from the crowd of the boys, after 30 minutes I went to the school gate and saw Suzuki waiting for me.
I broke a golden rule; 'Never keep a girl waiting.'
"Nakamura, you're late do you know how long I had to wait? Meanie." She pouted.
"Sorry, Suzuki."
"Just call me Aiya, it sounds way bettr."
"Ok Aiya but call me Eiya in turn."
"Huh? I expected at least a blush."
"You do know that we are not in an anime, right?"
"Yeah E-E-Eiya I know." She stuttered while blushing. "Now let's go on a date."