Ring.
And just like that, the period ended. I grabbed my novel from my desk and stood up, my feet already moving outside of the small area I'd been placed in, which felt like hours.
"Oh… um… Souta… do you mind if you could… show me around the school?"
I had already passed her, heading for the door, before stopping—
the small novel in my hand bending slightly.
"S–Show… y–you around…?"
I turned around, my legs feeling off balance, like noodles trying to stand up straight. Her sudden invitation didn't feel real.
"Yeah… since I'm new here and all."
There are like ten boys in the class better looking than me—bigger, taller—yet out of all people she's asking me for help.
My heart thumped—
I probably shouldn't look too much into it.
It's just coincidence. I mean, she sits next to me after all.
"O–Of course… I-I can definitely help you."
"Okay! Great!! Let's get moving!"
She jolted toward me, excited, her cheeks a light shade of red. She grabbed my arm—her hands hooking onto it—and my heart jumped like crazy in my chest. As we walked down the hallway, my mouth was too powerless to even rebuttal.
…Whispers.
And a lot of angry guys.
"So, Souta… what is this room right here?"
"O–Oh, umm… this room… it's the drama club."
"The drama club!?"
"Y–Yeah."
She let go of my arm, finally giving me time to recover. She went inside the drama club room—rows of chairs facing a small stage.
"They've got a stage in here!!"
My eyes darted to the sign asking for new club members.
Yeah. Like hell I'd ever join.
I carried myself inside where she was already on the stage, spinning excitedly like she discovered a mystery all her own.
"Souta, come up here!"
Her hand reached out—
"I'm… not… I don't think that's a good idea. We can… get in trouble for being in here."
Her head tilted, her finger pressing to her lips.
"In trouble? I mean—we're just checking it out. They wouldn't mind, would they…?"
She threw a big smile at me, like this wasn't her first time doing something sketchy. Like I was supposed to agree with her.
"Come, Soutaa. Being up here won't hurt ya, y'know."
She reached her hand out again—
My body tensed, stuck between choices.
I mean… I know we won't get in trouble.
I just don't want to be alone here, with her.
Before I knew it, my body betrayed me.
I grabbed her hand—soft—and she anchored me onto the stage, helping me hop over the small stump.
I stood there wondering what the hell I was doing.
Fifteen chairs in small rows stared back at me.
My mind imagined people sitting in them—each face watching me, judging me.
"See? Isn't this nice?"
Her hands were behind her back, her body leaning over into my view, smiling like she had an idea. I didn't want to be a part of it.
"Y–Yeah… it is."
I slowly moved away from her, inching closer to the left.
"Let's pretend we're in a play!"
Shit.
I knew this would happen—
"Oh… I don't… think that's a good… idea, Ayame—"
"Come on, Souta, it'll be fun."
She grabbed both of my hands and held them like a prayer, a small blush on her face and her lips forming a tiny frown—like she was begging me.
I don't really want to do this—
"O–Okay," I said quietly, nodding.
Her face lit up, a smile like she got exactly what she wanted.
She let go of my hands and walked away to the other side of the stage, her back facing me, a hand to her mouth.
"Hmm… what should we do…"
"What should we dooo—"
"I got it!"
She snapped around and rushed over to me, her face leaning close over mine.
"Just go with the flow… okay?"
Go with the flow?
What does that even mean?
My stomach turned as I realized I had to act out this ridiculous scene.
She turned away again, stepping slowly, then stopping in her tracks.
What the hell is she doing—
She snapped around. Her once bright face turned serious—scary even. Her arms crossed, one foot splayed out and the other slightly back, her hips shifted at an angle.
"Do you have what I asked for?"
Is she being for real right now…?
"Speak!! Bitch."
She moved and grabbed the top of my collar, yanking me close. I swear I flew—her strength unreal. Her eyes clashed into mine, sharp, my legs almost giving out.
"I said… speak," she whispered.
My eyes squeezed shut.
"Ayame… what are you—"
Slap—
"Wrong answer."
The slap knocked my glasses off onto the floor. The ringing in my ear, the small taste of metal in my mouth—she pulled me closer, her face near mine, her breath hot on my skin.
"Speak," she whispered again.
Tears formed in my eyes.
My legs struggled to stay up.
"I—"
Slap—
"Wrong fucking answer."
Her eyes widened, a smile forming.
Tears ran down my cheek.
"Awww… how fucking pathetic."
She giggled, her face hotter, red, a twisted smile stretching.
Then she pressed her face to mine—
Her lips soft—
Her tongue in my mouth, smooth and foreign as she poured her saliva into me.
Wrong—
This is all wrong.
She pressed deeper into the kiss as my legs gave out—
but she held me up… somehow—
Claps—
Then more claps followed.
Her body tensed. Her tongue darted back. She wiped her mouth quickly and looked to her right as my legs finally collapsed onto the stage.
"Wow, that was a truly remarkable performance," a lady said.
"Yeah! That was amazing!" another guy clapped.
"O-Oh… ah… sorry… we were just… practicing…"
…
I've been… violated.
"Well, it was amazing. How about you two join the drama club? You'd make a beautiful fit," the woman said, clasping her hands with a smile.