She still decided to sit beside me on the rooftop bench despite my protest. I wasn't sure how to react, but I didn't feel like arguing. I just wanted to enjoy my coffee and the quiet.
She settled in beside me, her presence both elegant and imposing. I could feel her gaze on me, but I kept my eyes on the horizon, sipping my coffee. The silence between us was thick, but Utaha didn't seem to mind. She lightly brushed her hair over her ear and crossed her legs, looking out at the view with a calm expression.
"What is this coffee you are drinking? May I have a sip?" she asked, her voice smooth and composed.
"If you're thirsty, drink water" I replied, my tone flat and uninviting.
"It's not about being thirsty, but I like the taste of coffee," she said, her eyes reflecting a hint of amusement.
"It's mine. Don't ask me for things you're not supposed to. Also, aren't you a bit too close to me?" I said, trying to maintain some distance.
"Aren't you a bit too cold to a girl who wants to be close to you? Can't we talk a bit more?" she asked, her tone playful yet probing.
"We are. We're talking right now," I responded, my voice devoid of any warmth.
"That's not what I meant, Aiko," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Well, too bad. That's the only thing you'll get. Also, I have a name, so don't use my first name. Call me Aizawa,"
"What? That's so rude, Aiko!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with mock offense.
"You're the rude one." I countered, feeling a mix of irritation and something else I couldn't quite place.
"Hmph. Well, I'm just glad to be able to talk to you again," she said, her tone softening.
"Uh-huh," I grunted, not sure how to respond to her persistence.
"Do you have anything you want to talk about?" she asked, her eyes reflecting genuine curiosity.
"Nothing," I replied, my tone as flat as ever.
"I'll take the first move then," Utaha said, a smile playing on her lips.
"Sure," I responded, not really interested but not wanting to engage in an argument either.
"Tell me more about yourself," she prompted, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and something deeper.
"I'm 150cm, and my birthday is November 14th," I said, offering the bare minimum.
"Liar. But you know, that's not what I meant."
"You're asking me about myself, aren't you?"
"Yes, but there is a difference between those two questions. For example, why are you here, alone? Why do you have so many girls after you?" she asked, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and jealousy.
"It's none of your business. Now, go away. You're bothering me."
"Oh, you are such a tease, Aiko," she said, her tone playful.
"Shut up, Kasumigaoka."
"You can't escape from me forever. Eventually, you'll have to admit that we have a special connection, and you can't deny it.~"
"You're annoying."
"But I'm glad that I got to see you again."
"Go away, Kasumigaoka. Don't make me tell you again."
"And yet, here you are, talking to me. Why won't you accept the fact that we have a special connection, Aiko~?"
"I'm not your boyfriend, so stop saying that we're together. You're acting like a crazy woman. Go away." I insisted, my tone firm.
"Why won't you admit it? It's clear as day that we have a special bond, Aiko.~"
I didn't respond, instead taking another sip of my coffee. The warmth of the drink was comforting, grounding me in the present moment. Utaha didn't push the conversation further, but I could feel her presence beside me.
I talked to her as if we'd known each other for at least a few months now. I didn't know why.
As Utaha continued to sit beside me,I decided I needed a break from the conversation. Talking took too much energy, and I wasn't in the mood for it. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my headphones, placing them over my ears. The familiar sound of music filled my mind, providing a welcome escape from the world around me.
I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me, the melody and lyrics providing a barrier between me and the rest of the world. It was a moment of peace, a chance to recharge and gather my thoughts.
Suddenly, I felt a gentle tug on one of my earbuds. I opened my eyes to see Utaha holding it, a soft smile on her lips. She placed the earbud in her ear, listening to the music that was playing. I didn't protest, instead watching her as she listened, her expression shifting as she recognized the song.
[Raindrops fall down on me ~
So cold but so tenderly~
Could we put hearts together though~
We're far so apart?~]
As she listened, her eyes reflected a mix of nostalgia and sadness, a hint of a memory that seemed to stir within her.
"You remember this song, don't you?" she asked, her voice soft and tinged with emotion.
I felt a sense of confusion. "I mean, I listen to it pretty much every day, so of course I'll remember it," I replied, my tone flat and unemotional.
I was about to reply again when I saw her expression. My heart twisted, a sharp pain piercing my chest. What was that?
She smiled softly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It's okay. Maybe in time, you will remember. But for now, know that this song is special to us."
I didn't respond, instead letting the music fill the silence between us. The melody seemed to wrap around us, a connection that transcended time and memory. Utaha's presence beside me was both comforting and unsettling, a reminder of a past I couldn't remember but somehow felt.
As the song played on, I found myself stealing glances at her, trying to understand the connection she claimed we had. But for now, I was content to sit and listen, the music providing a bridge between the present and a past I couldn't recall. The day had been filled with surprises, and I was ready to face whatever came next, one note at a time.
"You'll never be alone again, Aiko," she replied, her voice filled with tenderness.
I didn't respond, but her words lingered in the air for a while.
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The bell rang, and the day moved on. Second period. Class has started. It's Hiratsuka-sensei's class.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down. We have a new transfer student coming today!"
"Woohoo! A transfer student!"
"This is getting exciting!"
"I wonder what they'll be like!"
"A transfer student, eh? This is a bit of a surprise."
The NPCs are fired up. What a surprise.
"You can come in now!"
The door slid open with a satisfying click.
The door slid open. In stepped Mahiru. Every conversation halted. Girls gasped. Boys craned their necks, struck silent by the quiet glow she carried. It's the angel.
"Please introduce yourself to the class," Hiratsuka-sensei said.
I watched as Mahiru gave a slight bow, her presence both elegant and composed. She began to speak, her voice carrying a sense of calm and warmth. "Good morning, everyone. I'm Shiina Mahiru. I'm looking forward to studying with you all."
Silence.
And then
A girl's voice broke through the quiet, "Wow! She looks like an angel!"
"More like a celestial being," someone added, and light laughter fluttered through the room.
It was the right word, he had to admit. Mahiru had perfect posture and the kind of hair that solved itself without even trying. The way she smiled at the class, reserved but not shy, made him want to take back every mean thought he'd ever had about transfer students.
I shifted in my seat. So this was it? How many times had he seen it happen? There was always a Mahiru, wasn't there? Resourceful, enigmatic, somehow more refined than everyone else in the room, even before she'd said a word. Whether you're ugly or handsome depends a lot on how the people you talk to will perceive you. Our brains identify gender in milliseconds using subtle variations in the colour of the skin. You think it's not the same with looks?
Murmurs rippled through the boys everywhere. The girls, collectively tense, were already making silent judgments: ally, rival, unknown variable.
Hiratsuka-sensei motioned toward the new, open seat directly in behind Alya. Of course.
Mahiru floated into the chair with a controlled effortlessness. While walking, she angled a glance at me, catching my eye for just a heartbeat with a hint of affection, lightly touching my shoulder in the process, before the teacher resumed class.
Was she messing with me?
During class, I also noticed something else. Hiratsuka-sensei was giving me glances, her eyes reflecting a mix of warmth and something deeper.
I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination or if there was something more to it. Hiratsuka-sensei had always been kind and supportive, but these glances felt different, more personal. I couldn't quite place it, but there was a sense of affection in her eyes that I hadn't noticed before.
I shifted in my seat, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. Was I reading too much into it? Or was there really something more to her glances? I couldn't be sure, but it added another layer of complexity to the day.
The bell rang. The ambient drone of gossip and posturing rose again, this time with Mahiru at the swirling center.
"Aizawa, after class, come to the teacher's room!" Hiratsuka-sensei said, walking out of the room.
"Aiko~, did you do something to make her angry?" - Alya asked with a teasing tone, glancing at me.
Alya's teasing gaze met Aiko's, smirking mischievously while giving him a knowing look.
Aiko just shrugged and closed his notebook with a little more force than necessary. "No idea. Maybe she wants to get scolded by association."
Alya laughed softly, her eyes reflecting a sense of amusement. "Well, you better go find out. Maybe she has a crush on you," she said, her tone playful.
"And don't forget, after that come to the Student Council, we're going to be discussing the sports festival, alright~?"
Alya... That's not funny... Teacher and student relationships are strictly forbidden by society. Unless, of course, if it's behind closed doors, then I don't care.
"Yeah, sure," Aiko said, not even trying to sound interested. He pushed away from his desk, zipped up his bag, and slid between clusters of classmates still buzzing about Mahiru. If she was a celestial event, then the classroom had turned into an observatory - everyone craning their necks for another sighting.
He moved down the corridor, passing windows where sunlight pooled on the floor in warped polygons. The teacher's office was at the end of the hall. He paused outside the door, then knocked.
Hiratsuka-sensei responded with a brisk, "Come in!"
I opened the door.
As Aiko entered the teacher's room, he was greeted by the sight of Hiratsuka-sensei, her black hair pulled back into a tight bun, giving her a strict and professional appearance. She sat behind her desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and folders, each one meticulously organized. Her white shirt was crisp and pressed, her tie perfectly in place. The faint scent of coffee lingered in the air, evidence of Hiratsuka-sensei's love for caffeine to fuel her busy schedule.
She gestured at one of the rickety chairs by her desk. "How was your morning, Aiko?" she asked, fishing for something in the stack of folders.
"Gut-wrenching," he said. "Women sometimes are a force of nature."
Hiratsuka-sensei looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of warmth and something deeper. She smiled softly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I see. Well, I'm glad you're here. I wanted to talk about the Service Club. So, how was it yesterday?" she said, her voice carrying a sense of authority and kindness.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, his expression guarded. "It was fine, I guess. Nothing really special about it," he replied
Hiratsuka-sensei raised an eyebrow, her gaze steady. "Aiko, the Service Club is about helping others and making a positive impact. I think you could benefit from being a part of it," she said, her voice firm yet gentle.
I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Yeah, right. Like, I need more people in my life telling me what to do. I'm fine on my own," I said, my tone defensive.
Hiratsuka-sensei leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Aiko, I understand that you value your independence, but sometimes, being part of something bigger can give you a new perspective. It's not about losing your independence; it's about using it to help others," she explained, her voice calm and measured.
I looked away, my jaw tightening. "I don't see the point. It's just a waste of time," I muttered, my tone dismissive.
Hiratsuka-sensei sighed softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of patience and concern. "Aiko, I think you're missing the point. It's not a waste of time if it helps someone. And who knows? It might help you too," she said, her voice carrying a sense of sincerity.
I didn't respond immediately, my mind racing with thoughts. I didn't want to admit it, but there was a part of him that was curious, that wanted to understand what she was talking about. But my pride, my tendencies, held him back.
Hiratsuka-sensei continued, her voice gentle yet firm. "Just think about it, Aiko. That's all I ask. And remember, the sports festival is coming up. I hope you'll participate and have fun," she said, her voice carrying a sense of excitement and anticipation.
I nodded slightly, his expression still guarded, but a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "I'll think about it," I replied, my tone flat but less dismissive.
Hiratsuka-sensei smiled softly, a hint of warmth in her eyes. "Good. I'm glad to hear that," she said, her voice carrying a sense of warmth and support.
As I stood up to leave, Hiratsuka-sensei's voice stopped me in my tracks. Her tone had shifted slightly, carrying an intensity that made me pause and turn back to face her.
"Oh, and Aiko," she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of warmth and something darker, more possessive. "There's something else I wanted to mention."
"What is it?" I asked
Hiratsuka-sensei looked at me, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that was almost unsettling. "I've noticed that you've been spending some time with Kujou. She seems like a nice girl," she said, her voice carrying a sense of kindness, but with an undercurrent that made me uneasy.
"Yeah, she's alright. I guess?" I replied, confused.
Hiratsuka-sensei's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, which held a glint of something more intense. "I just want you to be careful, Aiko. Sometimes, people come into our lives for reasons we don't understand. And it's important to be open, but also cautious," she said, her voice gentle yet firm, with a hint of something darker beneath the surface.
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied, my tone flat but with a hint of caution.
Hiratsuka-sensei's gaze held mine. "Good. I'm glad to hear that," she said, her voice reverting, carrying a sense of warmth.
Aiko stood up, feeling a mix of emotions. He wasn't sure what to expect from the student council meeting, but he was ready to face whatever came next, one note at a time.
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Thanks for reading. You can also give me ideas for the future or pinpoint plot holes that I may have forgotten, if you want.