Hikaru glanced around nervously. "Huh?" he muttered, trying to understand the situation.
"Yeah, that's right," the Stone replied nonchalantly.
"Let's go somewhere else to talk about this. People are staring at me," Hikaru suggested, moving to a secluded corner. He pulled the stone out of his pocket. "So, back to what you were saying about 'me being the one using you.'"
"You see, you can become one with me and use my powers," the Stone explained.
"Use it for what exactly?" Hikaru questioned.
"Good question. That's why you meet my requirements. Others would just want to use it straight away without even knowing what for. I'm not answering your question because you'll find out yourself. But you can benefit from fusing with me. You're being bullied by other students and aren't liked by others, am I right?"
Hikaru's eyes widened. "Yeah... How did you know?"
"I looked into your past right now," the Stone responded casually.
"You didn't even take permission," Hikaru protested.
"No way, of course I won't," the Stone retorted.
"But what can you do about it?" Hikaru asked, desperate for a solution.
"I can make you taller. You're a little bit fat and a little short. In fact, you're short," the Stone stated bluntly.
"You don't need to say it that way!" Hikaru snapped.
"Hikaru, you can be popular and get more muscles," the Stone offered.
"Just by increasing my height?" Hikaru was skeptical.
"And looks," the Stone added.
"Whoa... But I'll think about it first," Hikaru said, still unsure.
"Another reason you meet my requirements," the Stone noted.
Hikaru smiled faintly and went back home, contemplating the Stone's offer. The next day, as he walked to class, he bumped into a tall guy he had never met before.
"I'm sorry," Hikaru mumbled.
"No problem," the guy responded kindly and left.
Hikaru watched him go, feeling invisible. He entered the classroom and sat down, his mind still preoccupied.
"Um, excuse me," Hikaru attempted to speak to a fellow student.
"What!" the student snapped back.
"Um, nothing. Sorry," Hikaru whispered, shrinking into his seat.
Well, this is normal, Hikaru thought, resting his head on the desk.
The teacher walked in, followed by a new student.
"Good day, class. Today a new student will be joining us."
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Tadashi Ichikawa; I hope we can all get along well."
Hikaru's eyes widened. Tadashi was the guy he ran into that morning—muscular, tall, and handsome.
"Okay, please go and sit over... Who's that again?" the teacher asked, looking lost.
The class burst into laughter, all except Hina. Hikaru lowered his head, feeling insignificant.
Looks like I'm not really that important if the teacher doesn't even remember me, Hikaru thought bitterly.
*"Really, sir? You're gonna put that guy with this dork!?" a girl sneered.
"That'll be hell," a boy added.
Hikaru kept his head down, knowing any protest would only make things worse.
"Silence, everyone. Tadashi, please go to the seat I pointed to and sit down," the teacher ordered.
Tadashi took his seat next to Hikaru.
Whoa, this guy looks so cool. He's tall, good-looking, muscular too, Hikaru thought, feeling a pang of jealousy.
"Is there a problem?" Tadashi asked, noticing Hikaru's stare.
"N-no, I was looking somewhere else," Hikaru lied.
Tadashi looked away, and Hikaru noticed Hina wasn't looking at him when the class laughed, but she smiled and waved at Tadashi. Tadashi waved back.
What is this feeling? Am I jealous? Nah! Why should I be? She's nice to everyone... But, I think this guy has a chance. Maybe I should try talking to her more, Hikaru mused.
Class ended, and Hikaru rested his head on the desk, pondering how to befriend Tadashi before the other students poisoned his mind against him. As he was about to speak, other students dragged him out of his seat to talk to Tadashi. Hikaru fell to the floor and watched as they crowded around Tadashi, including Hina, who didn't even glance at him. Hikaru ran to the toilet, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Again! And again! And again! And again! It's just my height and looks... Hikaru cried to himself.
Hikaru went to the school roof, standing on the edge. He was tired of being bullied. But just as he was about to jump, he remembered the Stone.
That's right, I forgot I had that with me... Hikaru stepped back.
What on earth was I thinking? Hikaru returned to class and found it empty. Remembering they had sports, he changed into his tracksuit. On his way out, he saw Hina and Tadashi talking. Feeling jealous, he wanted to join their conversation but hesitated. He walked past them but then turned around.
"Hi, Hina."
"Oh, um, Hikaru, was it?"
"I'll be right back, Hina," Tadashi said and left.
"Wait up, Tadashi. Sorry, Hikaru," Hina said, leaving as well.
Hikaru stood there, stunned. Hina looked back at him with a hint of regret but continued following Tadashi.
Well... I don't know what to say... This dude was just here today, and they're already this close that she just turned me down to be with him. I know we haven't talked much, but... Never mind, I'll try again, Hikaru resolved.
Hikaru tried to talk to her, but it was always the same. Hina would leave him to be with Tadashi. He even became her study partner, but Tadashi always took priority. After two days of this, Hikaru's fury grew. One day, after school, as he was packing up, Tadashi walked in.
"Hey, have you seen Hina?" Tadashi asked.
"And what about her?" Hikaru replied coldly.
"I'm walking her home today," Tadashi said.
Hikaru paused before continuing to pack. Okay... So that's how close they are? Wow.
Hina walked in.
"C'mon, Tadashi, there you are. Let's go."
Hina saw Hikaru.
"Hi, Hikaru."
"Hey, Hina," Hikaru smiled at her before zipping his bag.
The three stepped out of the class, but Hikaru stayed behind, pretending to check something. He sneaked after them, watching their route. When Tadashi waved goodbye, Hikaru seized the chance to walk with Hina.
Hikaru spotted Hina walking in the same direction. "Hina!" he called out.
"Oh hey, Hikaru," Hina greeted him with a smile.
"So your house is this way too?" Hikaru asked, trying to make conversation.
"Yeah, that's super cool," Hina replied enthusiastically.
"Yeah," Hikaru echoed, feeling a bit awkward.
"Did you try talking to Tadashi?" Hina inquired.
"Yeah, I think," Hikaru answered, still unsure about Tadashi.
"He's super nice and cool too," Hina commented.
"Do you like him?" Hikaru asked, trying to gauge her feelings.
"No, I don't feel any way towards him," Hina assured him.
"Well, that's a relief," Hikaru said, feeling a bit more at ease.
"My house is this way, so I'll see you tomorrow," Hina said as they reached her turn.
"That's alright," Hikaru responded.
Hina and Hikaru parted ways, and Hikaru went home. The next day, Hikaru still wasn't getting any attention from Hina. This went on for three days until one day, Hikaru went into class and sat down to study alone.
"Stone," Hikaru called out.
The stone emerged from Hikaru's school bag.
"Don't talk to me if you won't take the offer... How long will it take?" the Stone grumbled.
"Don't worry, I've made up my mind and I'll take your offer," Hikaru declared.
"Liar," the Stone responded.
"Yeah, yeah, you got me," Hikaru laughed nervously.
"Hmph!" the Stone huffed and disappeared.
Hikaru sighed. I don't think I want a world with superpowers; I want a normal life, that's it.
Hina walked in and saw Hikaru studying. She approached him.
"Hi," Hina greeted.
"Good morning," Hikaru replied.
"Studying for next week's test?" Hina asked.
"Yeah, I'll do it alone if no one chooses to join me, or join me and get distracted," Hikaru said pointedly.
Hina understood his meaning and felt bad for neglecting him.
"Sorry, Hikaru," Hina apologized.
"It's okay, as long as you pay attention to me when we're studying," Hikaru said, trying to keep his hopes up.
"I'm sorry, but um, I'm not really sure that might be possible anymore... Tadashi and I are dating now," Hina revealed.
Hikaru's heart started beating faster. He was hurt deeply, his jaw dropped a little, and he started shaking.
"Really?" Hikaru managed to say.
"Yeah, I wanted to keep it a secret from others, but since I trust you, I decided to tell you," Hina explained.
Tadashi walked in, wrapped his arm around Hina's waist, and kissed her. Hikaru wanted to run out of the class, but he remained put, forcing a smile. Other students were shocked.
"Hey, I knew it," a girl commented.
"Me too, but you two do look cute together," a boy added.
Hikaru just listened but didn't say anything. After school, Hikaru was furious. He ran home with a headache, thinking about Hina and Tadashi's relationship. He slammed his bedroom door and sat on the bed, lost in thought.
"It's not like I had a chance anyway. Tadashi was so much better than—"
"Don't even complete that sentence!" the Stone interrupted.
Hikaru stared at the Stone, remembering its promise to change his looks.
"Fuse with me," Hikaru demanded.
"Huh? You really mean it?" the Stone asked, surprised.
"Do you want this or not?" Hikaru snapped.
"Yeah, of course! Stretch out your hand," the Stone instructed.
Hikaru stretched out his hand.
"Okay?" he asked uncertainly.
The Stone forcefully entered Hikaru's hand, and a blue aura filled the room. Hikaru fell onto the bed.
"Did it work?" Hikaru wondered.
He looked at his body in the mirror but saw no change.
"I'm still the same," Hikaru noted.
"Yeah, about that," the Stone began.
Hikaru looked at the Stone, now an ordinary stone but still able to talk.
"What happened to you?" Hikaru asked.
"You have my powers now," the Stone explained.
"Then why am I still like this?" Hikaru questioned, frustrated.
"I gave you powers, but I didn't change your looks. I want you to get those new features naturally. I don't want others to say, 'look at him, he got those new looks because he fused with that stone.' So listen, you'll have to exercise more, kid," the Stone advised.
"What?!" Hikaru exclaimed, realizing the challenge ahead.