The next day. A day like any other: wake up, get dressed, head to school. I tried to forget yesterday's humiliation. No luck.
After getting played like an old man falling for a phone scam, I went home. Alone. Depressed. I walked at a snail's pace, dragging my feet.
If she had just kept up the act, I might have believed it and wouldn't have had to feel this regret. But no, she chose to show her true colors and prove that I had fallen right into her little trap. I'm starting to get it: she's just looking for an escape from reality by putting on this whole circus. But still, she didn't need to...
I sighed. "Forget it. I'm hungry, let's just get home," I told myself.
After heading down the slope and walking for a few minutes, I finally reached my door.
"I'm home!" I yelled while kicking off my shoes.
I left the entryway for the living room and found her there, lying down and flipping through fashion magazines. It was my sister, Kaede. She had the same brown eyes as I, a rag holding up her ponytail, and she was in eighth grade.
"Hey, big bro," she tossed out without looking up from her magazine.
"Yeah, hey..." I replied, still in full depression mode.
I approached the sofa, unceremoniously pushed Kaede's legs aside to make a spot for myself, and turned on the TV.
"Hey! Easy! Could you ask instead of just shoving me? I almost fell off the couch!"
"Sorry, I'm just not in the mood."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hm? What's going on? Problems at school?"
"Yeah." "Like what? Are you being bullied?"
"Maybe..."
"What, already?! The term just started! What do they want from you?" "I don't know."
"Should we talk to the school? To Mom?!" "No, no need."
"...Huh?"
She looked at me with an air of total confusion, then her worry evaporated, replaced by incomprehension. As for me, I hadn't even taken my eyes off the TV, frantically switching channels to try and forget Haruka's mocking smile.
"Spit it out before I actually tell Mom!" Kaede insisted.
I took a moment to think. How could I explain what happened to me without dying of embarrassment?
"Well?" she asked, impatient.
"Let's just say it's hard to explain..."
"What is it, then? Is it bullying?" "Maybe... but it's more like a mix of blackmail. Well, not really blackmail, but... I can't quite explain it. I think I'd need to invent a new word to define this thing."
She didn't answer. She stood up, picked up her magazine, and headed toward her room, clearly fed up.
"I'm tired of your stories. If you won't actually explain, I'm going to my room."
"Okay."
I stayed there, planted in front of the TV, waiting for time to pass. I hoped tomorrow would be a normal, decent day, even after signing up for that "social club." But deep down, I already knew that none of my wishes would be granted.
The next day. A day like any other: wake up, get dressed, head to school. And here I was again in the hallways. This time, I had to try to forget what happened yesterday. I took my seat behind Mizuki. I had managed to remember her name because she gave off an aura capable of repelling even the most insistent stares. She was staring out the window, as usual.
Then the teacher entered and announced news that silenced the classroom chatter. "Alright, everyone, I have an announcement!"
He signaled for someone to wait in the hallway, then made a hand gesture.
"Come on in."
A boy walked in. He was tall, with a handsome face and messy hazel hair. He flashed a smile that already bothered me... it reminded me strangely of someone else's smile. He was oozing charisma.
He scanned the class, looking for something, then his eyes landed on me. I was surprised. Why is he looking at me? Do I have something on my face?
Then, he smiled even wider and gave a little "wave." That's when I realized. He wasn't looking at me. He was looking at Mizuki, right in front of me.
"Go ahead, introduce yourself," the teacher whispered.
Ren gave an affirmative nod. Without any stress, with incredible nonchalance, he spoke in a calm, steady voice. The kind of masculine voice that, oddly enough, only increased my suspicion toward people like him.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Ren Katasuki. Just call me Ren. I've just transferred into this class. I had a problem with my flight, which is why I'm arriving a bit late. I hope we'll get along well. Thank you for listening."
He bowed politely. The class applauded immediately, but the teacher interrupted to point toward the back of the room. "Alright. Ren, take a seat behind Salkony. The one at the very back where the empty spot is."
Great. Now I was stuck between two potential problems. My only hope was to have absolutely zero interaction with them.
Walking toward his desk, Ren stole another glance at Mizuki. Then, he locked eyes with me. He threw one of those smiles he seemed to have the secret to, the kind of smile you feel forced to return. I gave him a fake, stiff smile before he sat behind me without another word.
Class finally came to an end. No sooner had the bell rung than Ren stood up and headed for Mizuki. "It's been a while, Mizuki, hasn't it?"
To my great surprise, she replied with a smile. Given her complex face and icy aura, I would have sworn it was impossible, but my eyes didn't deceive me. And I wasn't alone: several people in the class seemed just as shocked as I was by this change in attitude. They must have known each other from before; it was the only explanation.
Suddenly, Ren noticed my presence. He turned his head toward me, still with that ultra-charismatic smile.
"Hey, do you want to join our conversation?"
At that moment, I didn't know what to do. Mizuki's smile vanished instantly. She slowly turned her gaze toward me. A dark stare. A bizarre pressure washed over me, the kind of social awkwardness that makes you want to vanish underground. If this kept up, they'd end up thinking I was a stalker, and my year would be ruined!
I answered hastily, putting on my best fake smile:
"No, no! I... uh... I just wanted to try and see the board a bit closer."
"Oh, sorry for blocking you," Ren said politely.
He stepped aside to clear the way. "Is that better?" he asked.
"Yes, yes! Thank you!" I continued to smile stupidly.
That was a close call. I had to get the hell out of here. I gathered my things at lightning speed to bolt toward the cafeteria before they noticed my embarrassment.
Mizuki, however, didn't look convinced. She glanced at the board... which was perfectly blank. The teacher hadn't written a single thing.
"I knew it," she snapped, furious.
"What is it?" Ren asked.
"That guy lied to us. He was listening."
"Yes, I know," Ren replied with an amused smile.
"Why be mad at him? He was just curious. He probably doesn't know how to control himself, just like the rest of the people here... and like you, for that matter, always flying off the handle."
"...Tch. How can you always be like this? I feel like you're always on everyone else's side instead of mine!" "What? I'm just trying to avoid trouble. Aren't you the one who usually attracts all the world's problems with that temper of yours?"
Mizuki turned away, unable to strike back. Ren kept that confident-guy smile, as if he were handling the situation effortlessly.