Day14

On the way home yesterday, I wore the necklace. I glanced at almost every girl I see. I saw some of them glance back at me, though they were nothing but strangers’ glances. It was a stupid thought after all… The thought of it really being a magic necklace.

I also brought along the necklace today, thinking it might help boost my confidence or something, though I kept it in my bag the whole day. Miya acted really distant from me during class hours. The way she acted was as if she hated me and was pretending I didn’t exist. Hitori also noticed it, which is strange as Hitori’s not really the observant type.

Everyone ate lunch outside today. The air was nice and Shinji, our class president, asked everyone if they wanted to eat outside together this lunch. Everyone accepted, of course. I didn’t enjoy having lunch outside, unfortunately, so I ate as quickly as I could. Hitori also finished lunch early and he followed me to the classroom. I knew something was up. So after taking my seat, I asked him what was bugging him.

Hitori slammed his hands on my table. “Something’s wrong…” he said as he glanced around the room. He tends to make useless things dramatic. His idiocy makes him fun to be with.

Deciding to play along, I leaned close to him and whispered, “So you noticed it too… I’ve been feeling it the whole day.”

“What are you talking about?” he exclaimed. His loud voice completely ruined the atmosphere he created.

“I was just messing with you,” I sighed. “So, what did you notice?”

“Miya’s acting colder than usual toward you,” he answered. “After winter break, you two acted differently. But you soon acted a little friendly with each other again. Right now, you seem invisible to her.”

I was shocked by everything he said. He was surprisingly able to notice so much for a person who seemed self-centered. “You’re imagining things,” was all I could say.

“No, there’s really something going on with you two. Tell me what it is. Wait, don’t tell me…” he paused, to make a dramatic effect. Slamming my table again, he exclaimed, “Miya’s been seeing somebody else?”

I admit, he was quite sharp, for an idiot. But I didn’t feel it was right that I pair him up with Miya. After all, I might just ruin her chances by trying. Leaving her romance up to her is the best choice. “You’re letting your little mind go too wild. That’s dangerous, you know?” I sighed again.

Crossing his arms, he gave up. “Fine, I still think something’s up though,” he said as he walked back to his seat.

Our classmates returned to the room a few minutes after the conversation, which was lucky. The commotion he made might cause rumors to spread.

Honestly, after yesterday, I thought Miya wouldn’t come to the roof for a few days. But when I arrived, there she was, resting her arms on the handrails, as usual.

“Hello there, young lady,” I greeted. “What are you doing up here alone?” I asked, trying to mask my voice.

I thought it might amuse her, but it seemed like it just irritated her. Burying her face in her arms, I heard her mutter, “Quit it, Kyosei.”

I stood beside her, also resting my arms on the railing, and looked at her. Hearing those words made me feel as if I was with a totally different person at the time. “What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned now.

“Sorry… I’m just bothered by some stuff,” she whispered.

“Care to talk about it?” I asked. I was relieved she didn’t seem as cold anymore.

She shook her head, “No thanks…”

“C’mon, it’ll make you feel better.” I urged, feeling like I have to make her talk.

She just sighed deeply and shook her head once more, still buried in her crossed arms. I stopped trying. I knew pushing her will just make her mood worse. I rested my head on my crossed arms on the hand rail, looking at her direction. She looked like she was crying, though I knew that wasn’t the case as she wasn’t sobbing and her breathing seemed normal.

After some time, she turned her head a little to look at me, who was looking at her. “Miya-chan wants to talk now?” I asked in a babying voice.

She returned her head back to the previous position and stifled a laugh. Raising her head, she turned to me with a smile, “I’m afraid if I tell you, I’m going to have to kill you.”

“Fair enough, proceed,” I said with another voice, imitating a secret agent.

Resting her head on her arms, looking at me, she whispered with a small smile, “I hate myself.”

“Because you’d have to kill me?” I joked.

Letting out a small laugh, she answered, “Because I don’t know myself anymore.” She pushed herself away from the railing and sat down, resting against it now. She looked at me and patted the ground beside her, motioning to have me sit down.

Of course, I took her offer. I sat down beside her before she continued, “I feel as if I’m not the person controlling this body anymore. It’s as if I’m just watching myself from a distance.”

I fingered my chin, pretending to think deeply. “Hmm, I do feel distant with you this whole day.” I looked at her, “Maybe I was watching you alongside you…”

“I really love talking to you,” she giggled. “You always seem to manage cheering me up.”

“Don’t stop yourself from doing so then. I love your voice, you know,” I whispered.

“Well, sometimes a person should be left upset,” she whispered. “In joy, it is easy to lose sight of what’s important. In sadness, you learn to appreciate what you’ve lost.”

“Words of wisdom from my cute little pessimist.” I patted her head, “If you were happy all the time, should anything else matter?”

She closed her eyes and hugged her knees, “Sadly, yes…”

The sun went lower and everything was enveloped by darkness. The almost vanishing sunlight gave enough light to surround us, protecting us from the vast darkness. I watched our shadows on the ground stretch toward the wall beside the door. I turned to Miya, “It’s getting late isn’t it?” I pushed the ground and tried standing up, but I was pulled down by a tug on my sleeve.

“I’d like to stay here with you for a few minutes. Would you honor me this humble request?” she asked in a voice, softer than I’ve ever heard her before.

Of course, I agreed. “Oh yeah, you still have to kill me…” I replied.

She laughed softly and rested her head on my arm. “Granting my request has spared you your life.”

The sun was already long gone when we both decided to go home.