Being Uncaring means caring.
Classroom 101.
11:02 AM
Senkai he had arrived two minutes late, slightly out of breath.
The door was already open.
Inside, a few first-years were seated, murmuring quietly. Papers shuffled. A projector screen glowed faintly blue at the front.
He thought, it's my first time in the Art's building, it's definitely different from the architecture one. It's smell good here. The air around here i should request a switch.
I'll sit here he thought looking at the seat in the corner, as his eyes goes at the senna munching a protein bar already sitting there. "Oh, Oops." She got chocked by his look. "Heyy! he gets the bottle out, give her water from his bag as fast as it could. "You should eat a proper breakfast you've know."
Embarrassed, she putting her actor face unflawed. Unembarrassed. she greeted him. "Ah... hello, by bowing her a head a bit and says thanks for the water."
"Wow, finally causal tone huh?" She started munching her protein bar back. "I don't know anyone else here so can I sit next to you, He said. "Okay... She replied.
Than Mami walked through the door, thinking, Ah... I'm tired, geez, i only took the online classes to save the time, So, why is there a group assignment now.
I only took this course because, Rina said it was credits free, she remember's her word's.
"Mami, can't you trust me?", "Come on, it's really a good opportunity. "You are an idiot if you don't listen to my advice.
Than back to present. Hm.. She looked at the Senna, and senkai exchanging chewing gums, "Senna takes this class too, Uh... and yeah it's that weird guy, Senpai Reze just got in."
She hug's Senna from back. "Your are taking this class too... She said, rubbing her head against hers. "Arugh! Startled she looked back. "Ah.. Hello senpai." He–he... can i sit here?", "Sure she said.
"Don't know why she glared at me, and you Mami said. Hey" Schooch over... "You're not gonna greet me? He said. That's saddening. Also I've already had this seat."
"Sure, Hi than she said. Well I can't sit on your laps." I don't mind that. "Are you out of your mind! She said."
Senna giggles at them in silence.. a laugh slipped out of her mouth...
———
Sigh... He says changing his seat, "You are that kind of type that has to always have to be in the middle of the friend circle right. And don't like being alone either..."
"Oh.. Thanks, you are nice she said. But How did you know that?" She asked while sitting. Is it like a personality trait or something...?"
"It's nothing he said, I'm just good at reading people's."
Senna says "Oooh....
"Anyway Mami continued, I want to be partner with you Senna—
"Hahah.. Same here senpai. she said.
"Me too girls, Senkai says."
———
Footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Then— Just as professor Yumiko walked in.
From the doorway, a slow clap echoed once.
Every head turned.
She was in her early thirties, composed, wearing a long beige coat over a simple black blouse. Her presence wasn't loud, but it commanded attention.
"Good morning," she said calmly, placing her folder on the desk. "I hope everyone read the message."
Soft murmurs of agreement.
Senkai leaned back slightly in his chair.
The door behind him opened again, a subtle shift in the air followed. He didn't turn immediately, But he felt it immediately, The quiet changed.
Professor Yumiko looked up and smiled warmly. "Ah. Perfect timing. "Reze. Senkai stiffened slightly. Not visibly — but just enough.
Reze stood there, framed by the faint blue light of the projector screen. Her expression was calm — almost amused — as if she had walked into a stage scene she already understood.
Slowly— he turned.
Reze stepped inside. And as she gone and stand besides the professor "Not in last night's dress, 'Not in a something flashy.
She wore a fitted white blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted black trousers. Her hair was tied back this time, revealing her face completely, Minimal makeup. "No performance, Just sharp elegance.
A few of the first-years straightened instinctively.
She didn't look at him.
Not yet. "Already lively all of the first years," she said smoothly. "That's promising."
"Everyone," Professor Yumiko continued, "this is Reze. I believe most of you might already know her. The president of the Theatre Club of our college. She'll be assisting me for this project and the class this year — and gonna be helping me choose the final performance that will be displayed for next year's orientation."
A faint ripple of whispers spread through the room. He blinked once, Assisting? "You've got to be kidding me.
Reze walked to the front calmly, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She gave a polite nod to the class. "I'll try not to be too harsh," she said lightly. Her voice was smooth like always.
Controlled and Professional. "No trace of the last night, their eyes met for half a second.
"No lingering feelings. "Nothing obvious, But still something passed between them.
Professor Yumiko began explaining the project.
"You'll be divided into each into the groups of four. Each group will select a short scene — either original or adapted — and reinterpret it record it onto a camera and summit it.
The focus is going to be emotional authenticity and a pause deliberate Romance, "No exaggeration. "No overacting."
Emotional authenticity. Romance?
Senkai almost laughed under his breath.
Of course. He said coldly.
"Reze," Professor Yumiko added, "would you like to say something?" She stepped slightly forward. "Acting," she began, "isn't just about pretending to feel something. It's about allowing yourself to feel it… the story, the world, and the characters in the script, without hiding."
Her gaze drifted briefly across the room.
Paused, On him, Only for a second.
Then moved on, "If you can't be honest with yourself," she continued calmly, "your audience will always know."
Silence filled the classroom.
Senkai's his gaze, jaw tightened slightly, somewhere Last night's words echoed again.
"I want you to walk toward me, "I don't do this anymore Senkai."
"Don't hide. He said to himself in his thoughts.
Professor Yumiko clapped her hands lightly.
"Alright! Than I'll announce the groups." and we be choosing it By drawing the names out of this Box." She said putting a box onto the table.
"There no way we be choosing the names by drawing the names out of that box, Right?" He said. "Nah mami says no way, that system is ancient, even my mom would make the group chats with a computer." Senna says don't know maybe she is just too old school?"
I texted you so we could meet up and make the group— like I've mentioned the midterms are getting replaced with this project.
"We do it like this...
*One summer night dreams, Watching and analysis*.
1. Group mates watch the skrit* one summer night dreams" Together. / tickets are provided.
2. Write a reflection and summit it.
3. Select any scene of the skrit and mimic the end of it, should be second act. Record it, than summit it. / you can record with any device you want, Like phones example.
"The theme of this skrit and play is Romance. And sorry I changed the format of the medterm so suddenly, I know you must be curious."
A sudden mumbles went through the class, a guy said. "have you ever acted before?" Yea to get out of a class in high school." Someone said.
She coughed, "There's no solid reason but... Uh... Professor Yumiko continued. "I just wanted to see the younglings in thier early 20s to be romantic with each other.", "I'm sorry, and why don't most of you guys date at your age...?"
The students look at her in anew than, she said. "And It's definitely not because I watched a romantic flim yesterday!"
"That was a joke, don't worry— you see there's a big difference between learning about the acting and actually doing it. That why I asked the best aide possible The president of the theater club. Who can be a better candidate than her."
He went, "Wow, I think she is being serious. "Great has she never heard that we complain about her classes to the school?" Mami said.
Professor continued, "it'll be a good chance for you to learn further about the acting and feel good about it– it's my intension that you experience that– and you kid's doing the romance skrit might get some of you into the relationships, Who knows?"
"Bullshit. Mami said. "Ah, vice president, why do you look so Upset?" "Because I am.
"Hey professor but I'm already taken, a guy said. Really i'm jealous than". she replied. "Hey stop wasting time of the class man". Another dude said from the side.
"Alright than I give you the good Marks so let's get started! This is goona be much fun, right."
"Please come up and take slip of paper each from the box." It was hard folding all these papers up, she thought in her mind.
"Yo, vice prez! We're doing what you said exactly even your mom wouldn't do?" A dude said. Of a theatre club sitting behind them. "Wow that teacher is really behind... Why does she act so old, Mami said?" Senna says I saw her eating Candy's."
"Candy?" Mami said. That box was a candy box! "What wrong with a candy box? He said, getting up from the desk. Let's just write the reflection senpai."
Chairs scraped softly as people rearranged into clusters in front of the box. "Ah.. This is boring she said, leaning her head at Senna shoulder. He thought quietly. It would be nice if I pair up with someone I know. Like Senna or Vice presi— "what?, Why?" she glared at him. Than "Yeah he thought. "It would be best if I pair up with the Senna." "She seems like she be very good at acting too."
"Never mind my words I was just hungry. "Do I look like a tasty food Mami said." With such a serious, uninterested face. He said. "Stop trying to seduce me."
The person with the same number as you, is your partner. Professor announced. Than said, looking at the register... "And why are you all girls so cute."
Senkai shouted "Number 12! "Who has the number 12!" While swinging his hand in the air.
Reze walked down the aisle, not rushed, nor hesitant, and stopped beside his desk. "Mind if I sit?" she asked politely. Her tone was neutral and professional like usual. "Sure, Mami said. Do you even need to ask senpai." He met her gaze, "Do I have a choice, Reze Senpai?" He replied evenly.
A flicker — just barely — of amusement touched her eyes. "No," she said softly, And took the seat
beside him, Close, But not touching. Quietly she muttered to herself, "Senpai again huh..."
Their classmates began discussing possible scenes, throwing ideas around nervously, But between them all noise of the crowd—
There was a quiet tension, controlled, careful.
But at the same time professional. Until she leaned slightly toward him, just enough that only he could hear. "You're two minutes late," she murmured. He didn't look at her, and "You're early." A pause. Then—"Did you sleep?" she asked. Straightforward.
He glanced sideways at her. "Did you?" Her lips curved faintly. "Acting class," she whispered. "Remember?" And just like that—She put the piece paper of paper beside him, He looked at it.
"Number 12. What the?" But aren't you helping the students. "I'm as the director. Than this? He asked." This as the student." She replied evenly.
From the Side, Senna said I'm number 12 too, she looked at them the tension between them as surprised hearing Senna voice, Senkai said. "Wow it's good we are together." Breaking through the tension. "That's a relief... Really the relief."
Just as the class ended, he left in the hurry exchanging the contact information, without looking back.
It wasn't avoidance. But it was something sharper now, maybe a test. "Not of who could control the other, but of who would be honest first."
Across the room, Yui observed them quietly, and somewhere Kazama holding the last piece of a paper. Number 12! And outside the classroom windows, Tokyo moved as usual.
But inside Classroom 101— Something had shifted. And neither of them were pretending not to feel it anymore.
———
Somewhere else: back In the P&N clubroom.
Reze, lad onto the same Sofa of the clubroom, where they had spend their second night at. While scrolling her phone, looking at the group chat. This isn't even fun, is he avoiding me, "no he didn't avoid me it felt like he was just cold to me for a moment."
Voice of the footsteps, just as the door open bam. "It's me Rya! goes. "Shit" Surprised Reze said. "Hey be little subtle about it, please.", "Ahaha... Sorry — what it's only you in the room right now. She said. seating besides her, I came to have fun not to be bored to death."
Reze said, "sorry but only it's me I guess." Rya continued. "Hey I like you too Reze, don't be misunderstood you know. How I feel about you. Vinney is my number one, but I let you have the number two spot in my heart."
"Sure thanks... Reze said." Rya laughs Hahaha... "You know I'm just joking around right? By the way what are you looking at?"
"Nothing..."
Rya leaned closer anyway. "You don't scroll like that when it's nothing," she said, peeking shamelessly at the screen. "You scroll like that when you're stalking."
Reze locked her phone. "I don't stalk. "Mm." Rya flopped sideways dramatically, her head landing on Reze's lap without permission. "Then you obsess silently. Which is worse."
Reze didn't push her away.
The P&N clubroom was quieter in the afternoon.
Sunlight spilled through the tall windows, cutting across the old wooden floor in warm strips. The same sofa. The same faint scent of fabric softener and stage dust, The same place.
Her fingers paused unconsciously where his sleeve had been the other night. "He left fast," Rya said casually, eyes closed. "Class ended and whoosh. Like he remembered that he left the stove on."
Reze's expression didn't change. "He exchanged contacts,"before leaving. "Without looking at you." Silence.
"That's new," Rya added.
Reze exhaled slowly. "He's not avoiding me. "No? "He's recalibrating." Rya cracked one eye open. "That sounds like something a villain says before the second act."
A faint smile touched Reze's lips. "You watch too many dramas you know. "No, I watch you."Reze.
That made her glance down.
Rya sat up slightly, resting her chin on the back of the sofa. "You don't like when people pull away first."
Reze didn't answer, Because she knew it wasn't that he pulled away, It was how cleanly he did it.
No anger. No awkwardness. No visible emotion on his face. But just a distance, and Controlled emotions, uncaring.
In Classroom 101, when she leaned close and asked, Did you sleep? — he didn't flinch. He didn't soften either, instead He met her tone, Professional just Like her, And that irritated her more than it should have.
Rya nudged her shoulder. "You like him don't you. "I don't." she said.
Rya short back "You're thinking too much for someone who doesn't." Now you are caring too much.
Reze leaned back into the sofa cushions, staring at the ceiling. "I don't like losing control of the narrative," she corrected calmly.
"Ah." Rya grinned. "There it is."
Reze closed her eyes briefly.
The professor's words echoed in her mind.
If you can't be honest with yourself, your audience will always know, Annoying she whispered to herself.
Because for the first time in a while— She wasn't entirely sure what she was feeling.
Attraction? Curiosity? Or a Challenge? Or maybe something softer.
Rya says well there goes my break. "I'll go and work again. "So, why did you come again?" Reze asked. "Ah i was gonna smoke, but than thought I come here to vist you, she said getting up."
Reze says "hey get rid of those pants they look like they're from a museum. "There nothing better than these when I working on art, heehee... By the way Reze aren't you making it too obvious you had a late night with someone few days ago?"
What are you on about?"
"Your neck, few days ago it had a mark. Your boyfriends a little aggressive, leaving mark like that hmm? I'll go now! I'm jealous for real..."
"Get out you idiot! Bitch Reze said throwing the pillow over her! "Why is she like this... What did she mean by my neck...?"
She looks at the sofa the empty space... As she remember. "You gonna regret seducing me Reze. He gets close to her neck, as he kissed onto it and bite it. "Ah... That... happen..ed."
She thought. ".... I mean it was... good..?"
"The sex was good... It filled me up."
"I want to... do it again..., I might be into someone leading me... "
"Sigh... It was really nice.
Than.. "AAH! "No, "No, you bitch, Bitch, she said. While roling onto the sofa...
"Ah... really. Than as she pulls the strands of her hair back. "Why do I keep thinking about him...
"Should I call him, to see him again..."
———
Buzz buzz, his handphone vibrates..
Message—
•••
I'm invited all of the members for the project tonight, Come and join in, meet at the club Aragon, private room number 502.
He breathe out, "this is unsettling, I don't think it's good to see her after having done all that."
He reminisce, the scenes of them meeting, "Do you really want this? "She holding his collar than why did you have sex with me huh. Her words, her actions, the scene of the club them dancing together. Than simple her mysterious gray one. Her standing outside the club smoking... Maybe waiting for him Quiet, distant, and yet so damn beautiful.
Message—
•••
...Others are coming too.
He replied "Sure I be there on a time."
———
The morning next day: Collage corridor.
While walking, in the corridor of the college, as a voice came, Startled He turned around. "Ah... Yui, do you seriously want to die?" "Why I can't come to see my senpai's." Oh.. Senna hi...!!
"Good morning, Yui senpai." Senna said. She was walking to the next class with me.
From behind, Mami jumped onto the Rina senpai holding her by the collar, "I didn't knew i was going to have a group assignment in this class." Wow... now, now Mami calm down, calm down, everything be fine it's nothing that hard, She said. while getting shaken by Mami senpai.
"What should I do Mami said. Putting her head on her shoulder. "It's all your fault. "You have to buy me something delicious later..."
It was Invitable.
"Oh...? Yui said. Isn't it our dear senkai, would you like to came and have lunch with us..."
Morning senpai's. Yui. He Greeted them. As the hanabi imitates her, Oh heavens our dear Senkai bla bla bla..."
Eh, Haha... so, funny. He replied in a sarcasm.
"Senna trys to control her laugh... Once again.
Than Mami say's I asked him earlier, but he said. I'm going to eat with some friends... "Huh.. Why, come and eat with your senpai's Rina said." If we don't hurry, it is possible we have to wait in queue, so let's hurry, Ok."
"Hm... Fine than Vice President buy me lunch. He said. "Why! why me?", "Yeah! Those are the words I like to hear! Rina said. "I brought some money with me today, So let me treat all of you Junior's let's go." Senna went, "Huh. "Me too please, Mami said. "Oh god come on, come on than, your senpai's got the check."
He thought, cella she said, she was going to have lunch too I should message her, to eat without me I suppose, "So I could go along with Yui and senpai's... I guess for now." Sudden Yui grabs his hand wrist, her voice low enough for only him to hear, "who you were going to have lunch with? It's not like you have friends."
He scoffed in annoyance. "Hah... you really think that I still don't have friends.. And I was busy aside having lunch doing a project job tonight Nothing more..." Is that so, just your face looks weird, like troubled, if there is something you can tell me you know. "No there nothing, It's just...
"Oye, Yui do you want to get pizza, Mami said. There's a store on a corner that sells good pizza there. "Oh.. Yepp of course senpai. The damn pepperoni there is so delicious... Yui commented. "let's go there than... Rina said.
Than behind while walking quietly, Yui said. "You know senkai, there's something I have to tell you. she hummed... Let's have talk after college whenever you are free. She said.
"Sure.
"Hey what are you two doing there walking slowly hurry up! Mami said. "Or you are getting no free pizza."
"Wait for us.... Senpai."
———
To be continue...