10Just a quick note!
I just found this fanfiction I wrote back in 2016. It was during a big transition of my life so this basically served as my coping mechanism that time. It's 2021 (2022!) and found this again in one of my old usb so I thought id share this.
Warning: SUPER slowpaced and REALLY long story ...nevertheless, hope you'll like it. :)))
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"There's a place in the moon that's called Sea of Tranquility."
"...what does that word mean, tranquility?"
"Well, it means serenity and peace. Makes you want to visit, right?"
"...only if it's real."
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"Mayuzumi Chihiro?" Hearing his name being called at the rooftop, the place he frequented alone most of the time, wasn't new.
It all started few days after the opening ceremony, which also seemed the first time he heard his full name being pronounced every single day since entering high school.
The third year student couldn't figure out as to how in the world it was known when he never remembered giving it once.
As far as he was concerned, an introduction between that person and his self never occurred.
"The rooftop is off-limits for students." The female stranger liked to follow his name with these words, delivered in an unchangeable tone, though soft, almost gentle that he couldn't seem to treat seriously.
Why are you here if it's off limits? He wondered.
Mayuzumi sighed inwardly.
Never mind, perhaps she would leave the area if he chose to ignore her remark just like the previous and other days.
Or so he thought...
After some minutes of silence from the other person, Mayuzumi peeked from the corner of his book, only to be greeted by a blink of a coal-black pair of eyes—as if it was a camera lens that suddenly took a snapshot.
The girl hadn't left.
Half of his face came visible to her end.
The girl stared at the third year while crouching exactly to his front, probably only a meter away.
That gaze was too much, Mayuzumi thought.
Since when did she become his casual guest in this area? No, she wasn't a guest. They were both intruders. Though this consecutive exploit of her was really becoming annoying.
Mayuzumi was still able to hide his displeasure with a poker face—well, except that short and small frown showing once a while. Somehow, it was a good thing that his face was so used to putting up a dispassionate look.
The third year, for the umpteenth time, didn't bother to speak nor react.
The bob-haired girl crinkled the skin between her eyebrows at the usual silent treatment.
Few seconds like this, Mayuzumi was the first to break their staring contest, putting his attention back to his book—or was what he wanted— but the way she stared so intently made him uncomfortable.
Regardless of the new antics, he still opted to be unbothered by her presence.
She'd get tired anyways, so he might as well pretend nothing was happening.
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Every day was a drag.
Every day, he had to trade his peaceful life just to attend this school called Rakuzan High.
It was a pretty famous high school in Kyoto but really, it wasn't that great at all.
Nothing had ever caught his interest, ever since he started high school.
Such thing as 'high school debut' or 'spring of high school' never came in contact with him, as if he was forgotten and left behind.
He could see how some of his classmates from freshman years were finally into something they really wanted or might as well in a relationship. Not that he wanted those things anyway. He couldn't careless, to be precise. What a waste of energy or time, he thought.
Ah, if he could only fast-forward the semester.
And everyday was the same.
He would always walk on the same hall way, passing by the same students who he had known or seen for years yet still couldn't recognize his presence.
Most of the time, his face would appear calm and collected just because he didn't see any point in wrinkling his expression for people who couldn't remember him.
The same circumstances stretched inside the classroom, he would rather pay attention at the scenery outside the window than socialize in the class.
Somehow, it was more interesting than the lessons they had. And that was fine, not paying attention or listening was something he could easily pull off. The teachers wouldn't even notice. In fact, it was the only benefit that this weak presence of him had. Watching the clouds floating around the air was more entertaining. No matter where he was, it just looked the same, relaxing and peaceful.
One time, he remembered seeing that girl from the rooftop in the hallway.
He just happened to see a glint of her figure from the surface of his eyesight.
No, he wasn't being too wary of her but instead, she was just caught in the surface of his eyesight for suddenly appearing from the right wing of the hallway while his eyes were directed at the front.
Judging by the direction that they were taking, they would surely brush past each other's shoulder. However, when the moment came, they both didn't barge an eye, as if both didn't notice one another. Except to Mayuzumi, clearly, he was aware of her presence.
As it turned out, just like everyone else, she also didn't sense him. If that was the case, then why couldn't she just do it every day? That way, he would be able to get the peace that he wanted at the rooftop.
Lunch time came, upon reaching the rooftop, Mayuzumi ran his fingers on the sides of his light novel while looking around the place. He just arrived at the rooftop and the first thing he noticed was the bright ray of sunlight which made him squint.
Looking for the right place was the priority, maybe somewhere against the sun, where he could hide from the blazing heat.
This will do, he thought, satisfied with the current place at the corner side near the door of the rooftop. If she came, she wouldn't be able to see him and that would be equivalent to peace.
He leaned his back against the wall and decided to open the light novel.
Time was ticking fast that before he knew, the free hour had gone by.
That was nice.
He was able to read almost half of the book. All thanks to the absence of the usual bother.
She didn't come.
That was new, he thought.
He wouldn't admit but he was already accustomed of the girl's sudden appearances that in the pit of his mind, he was actually waiting for her arrival. But that was only because he liked to think of ways on how he would ignore her remark.
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Why should I double my training when I'm not even playing in the official game?
He gazed at the bulletin board inside the gymnasium, secretly and quietly cursing the Japanese characters written on it.
Whoever planned this ridiculous menu must be insane.
Ah, right. It must be the new captain. That freshman. Who does he think he is?
If he wanted to train that much then why couldn't he do it himself? He didn't have to include them.
It was the third string for god sake.
They should not be treated like the first string or those regulars. This was just a waste of time. They could practice for all they could but it wouldn't change their situation. They would still be in the third string.
To be included in the second string would be the best they could hope for.
As these thoughts filled his mind, Mayuzumi scoffed before turning away.
Regardless, he followed the menu and went to practice.
And because of this, his whole day passed by without having the time to at least read one paragraph from his favorite book.
Anyway, he wasn't in rush to finish it.
A moment to make use of his energy for extra-curricular activities such as basketball wasn't that bad anyway. At least, it was a good exercise.
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The next day, he skipped the club activities and went directly home.
He wasn't like those other people in his club. Practicing non-stop, hoping so much that they would be noticed by the coach or the captain so they could enter the first string only to end up disappointed.
It wasn't like he was against it personally, Mayuzumi just didn't see the importance of doing so. This was Rakuzan High after all. His position on the club was very clear. He was just a mere third-stringer, an extra, a shadow and a replacement. He was already in his third year so 'hoping' wasn't an option anymore. Just a couple of months and he would be saying goodbye to this school.
All of this would be forgotten sooner.
The following day, after morning class, he decided to purchase his lunch before going at the rooftop. He had decided to eat it on his way while taking the threads of the stairs, one by one.
Almost there, he noticed that the door was slightly opened.
Who would do this? He wondered.
The possibility that someone other than him was here crossed his mind and if that was the case, then he knew who would it be.
He found his self sighing upon that realization.
Still, he won't back out.
She could say her favorite line over and over again and he still wouldn't care.
He opened the door just wide enough for him to fit.
He was immediately greeted by the same breeze of air, cold and relaxing. Something far from the air given by the school's air-conditioning unit. It was followed by the ever so bright ray of sunlight. To be bathed directly by the sun above the sky also gave a different feeling compared when it was coming from the windows of his classroom. It was warm and very welcoming to someone like him. At least here, he was greeted.
There was a different scenery though, he thought, after getting a full view of the rooftop.
Indeed, he expected that girl to be around but this view was something he didn't imagine.
Mayuzumi was still holding the doorknob, his other hand possessing a book.
Words were not needed. It wasn't like he had to greet or inform her of his arrival anyway. So he just stood there, watching. Watching her short hair danced to the breeze of air. Watching her back and slender arms arched at the back as a support to her body while sitting on the ground. Watching her slightly tilted head as she watched the same sky he admired. And watching her as she indulged herself to the stillness of the place she often referred as off-limits.
Somehow, she rendered a figure of someone who was in full relaxation, like in a deep tranquility.
Truly, it was different from the usual scenario.
Was it because he was late? But that was never an issue. And it wasn't like they were expecting each other to meet in the first place, so that was too impossible.
Why was she on that spot? Didn't she say this place was forbidden?
He still refused to speak or comment. It was not needed, he thought.
In the end, he decided to ignore her presence and just do his usual routine.
He took one step and as if that simple movement alarmed her of his arrival, the girl suddenly broke from her stance and looked behind through her shoulders.
"Ah..." escaped her mouth upon seeing him.
Ah?
He didn't pause. Mayuzumi continued his pace to sit at the opposite side, far from her.
As he pretended not noticing her reaction while busying his self on opening and setting the mood to begin reading, the girl stood up and seemingly aiming to approach him.
He just waited quietly until she say the words she had been saying all this time.
'Mayuzumi Chihiro, The rooftop is off-limits for students.'
At the same time, he was ready to ignore it, yet again, like always.
Finally standing in front of the gray-haired person, she cocked her head and pursed her lips.
Here it comes...
"I see." Was what left her mouth instead.
A small twitching in Mayuzumi's eyes occurred.
That sounded different.
Perhaps, he was getting a new phrase?
"I now understand." She continued.
This time, he raised his eyesight for a second.
What is..?
Her body was facing him, but her eyes were wandering around. Hands firmly kept behind as she nodded a little and slowly.
From the top side of his book, he quietly watched and waited for a continuation. As much as possible he wouldn't want her to get the idea that he was listening or might as well interested for whatever she was saying.
Yet somehow, in the slightest only, he was curious.
A sudden light air passed, the girl tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. This small gesture caused her to shift an eye at him.
The usual reaction should be to avert or just locked eyes nonchalantly but somehow his body betrayed him as he slightly flinched upon seeing her, suddenly flashing out a smile towards him.
It lasted only a few seconds before she broke the eye contact.
Next thing he knew, she was gone, leaving him a bit stunned.
He blinked and found his self blankly staring on the characters written horizontally in his book, puzzled with what happened and why in a split of second there, his chest tightened.
Mayuzumi breathed out while suddenly digging an explanation from his mind.
However, in the end, nothing came out except the usual words to express his feelings to almost everything since the beginning.
Ha...
How annoying.
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Mayuzumi blinked.
How many times had he done this, repeatedly going back to the first paragraph just to reread everything again?
For some reason, he couldn't keep his focus. Not when the person who was supposedly asking him to leave the rooftop was also sitting exactly at the opposite corner from where he was at, in the so-called forbidden place for students.
Although, not once did Mayuzumi pay the girl an attention nor he wanted to, still, why couldn't he bring his self to focus?
How annoying.
It was more annoying than before, he thought.
Why was she even here? That was what he wanted to know.
He knitted his brows lightly.
It seemed like at anytime, she would snap and do something unimaginable.
Had he became under her watch for not obeying? Wait, he didn't even know how long had it been this way. Could this be a really serious offense? Did he actually and unknowingly committed a big mistake that someone was finally sent to do this? This was worse than the worst. Her presence was a quiet torture to his inner peace.
She was there, doing exactly the same as yesterday, just looking up at the sky.
When the bell rang, hinting that the lunch break was over, she made her way out.
Just like that.
So casual, like it was normal.
Well, at least she wasn't telling him to stay away from the rooftop anymore.
Nevertheless, it was still a bother.
Really, what is she doing?
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The next day came
Followed by next
On and on
Until a week had passed that became two.
This was tiring, he thought, like a mind game.
Won't you just speak up already?
But who was he to demand? He hadn't said something to her as well from the beginning.
You've got to be kidding me.
And he couldn't take it anymore.
Mayuzumi produced a loud sound when he suddenly closed his book, just to open it once more after some seconds. He was contemplating, hesitating, wondering what action or response to make.
It caught the girl's attention.
She turned her head on the side to eye him.
Lifting her brows, she spoke in a seemingly surprise manner.
"Oh..."
That's it?
Yes, that was it. That was her only reaction.
The freshman girl leaned her back against the railings while gazing downward. Meanwhile, Mayuzumi was thinking the meaning behind that "oh".
That wasn't even a word. What did she hum that for?
He furrowed his brows harder this time while looking at her figure from the corner of his eyes.
A few seconds had passed that soon turned to minutes.
"You read a lot."
Her new remark came unexpectedly.
It calmed the creases in Mayuzumi's face, doubting his self if he heard the girl correctly.
And what of it? He replied through his mind.
"Light novel, is it?" Her head was nodding as she focused towards his direction. "Hmm, are they good?"
So you're talking now... properly.
Mayuzumi remained quiet and decided not to meet her black eyes.
He heard a sigh. Or was it a sigh or she just took advantage of the fresh air around?
Apparently, he was thinking too much. ...Way too much.
He tried stealing a slight glance only to find that she was still staring.
He squinted, going back to focus on his book.
The girl laughed softly, one palm quickly made its way to cover her mouth like some demure woman.
"You're too wary of me."
Ha...
She stood up and approached him, stopping in a safe distance so as not to make him uncomfortable.
He just waited for her next move through his peripheral vision, without heed.
Her hands clasped firmly to her front before she made a bow. Mayuzumi would be lying if he said that it didn't surprise him.
What is it this time?
She kept doing redundant gestures.
Gladly, he was an expert on hiding emotions, reason why he was able to keep a straight face.
"I'd like to apologize properly." She pursed her lips timidly before straightening her body. "I always tell you not to come here." Finishing it with a smile, she couldn't hide the embarrassment from everything she had done in the past weeks. "I kind of understand now... why you like this place."
Her smile stole his focus.
Just like the last time, the expression that beamed radiantly was still clear in his memory. The image of her as she plastered that smile towards him made him feel that foreign sensation once again though he denied it quickly with a frown.
This was no different from the usual, he thought. It still, and should be annoying.
He just failed to predict her sudden personality change, reason why he was somewhat astounded.
Yes, her unexpected doings and words just caught him off guard. That was all, and so he looked away without a retort.
As if he would develop an intimacy just because of a smile.
Too cliché
Too impossible
Especially for him
He didn't have time for that.
Anyhow, it was a good thing that she explained the meaning of what she said before, of what was it that she understood. At least, he wouldn't have to wonder about that.
He went back to the kanjis in his book. His sight fell on the first word of the first paragraph. His mind was about to start reading when all of a sudden he was interrupted again.
"The transfer student I'm interested in is an..." she trailed off when Mayuzumi suddenly tugged the book. He thought she would just leave again without warning.
A pair of attentive eyes lingered at the title written on the cover. "...is a..what is it?" She continued reading the title, despite the book being off angled from her vision. "...a...an...droid...?"
"The transfer student I'm interested in is an android." She blinked back to meet Mayuzumi's frowning face.
The black haired girl crouched down and mumbled, "That is a nice title...a long one too."
He could have burst out in annoyance but chose to remain steady, only letting his irk be shown with words. "Why are you still here?"
Her mouth parted before turning it into a smile. "Ah, you finally talked." She pointed out as if it was something special, as if it was extra ordinary.
Ha...
Mayuzumi frowned in disdain as he stood up to leave the place at once. Clearly, he had no intention of making a conversation.
Really...
How annoying...
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Was there someone who would be so kind enough to inform him that this whole situation was only an act with that girl as the main actress and that he was only being used as an extra?
Or was there actually a production crew of actors and actresses around this place and they were just taking advantage of his innocence to use him as some kind of a side character?
Or could it be that this strange girl was an author of some literature in the internet and she was using him as her basis?
Or it was actually her as the main character and she was using him as the model for an oh-so-sweet-and-simple romance at the rooftop with a quiet prince?
Okay. He went overboard on the last part.
But seriously, say the Cut or might as well inform him.
He might be considered as an eyesore here at the rooftop and he would never know.
This was already a confusing plot twist for his peaceful life.
Somehow, the girl who was trying to sway him off at the rooftop just a couple of weeks ago was now sitting at the opposite corner from where he was at and... for some another anew and unknown reason, had the same light novel as him.
As he glanced at the quiet girl who was doing the same, Mayuzumi Chihiro was left with nothing but confusion.
There were no other gestures made except the constant tucking of hair strands behind her ear from time to time while reading.
So apparently, they were reading the same light novel at the same time.
It seemed like he had been frowning a lot since meeting her.
"I'm probably on the same page as you are now."
His eyes winced as it shifted back to the letters written in his book.
Had he paid too much gazes for her to notice? Was it too obvious?
"Am I bothering you?" she asked as she turned her head to eye him, producing yet another smile.
He only gave one second glance. There it was again. That expression she would casually put on her face that was making him feel such annoying sensation inside his chest.
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This was just a rare occurrence that he wasn't used of, he reasoned.
He had to pause the train of thoughts and monologue seeing that the girl was actually waiting a reply.
Was she bothering him?
He didn't see any reason why he must answer that. That would only make him appear as if he cared for an existence of another human around and that he was just being an insensible person because clearly she wasn't even doing anything that would be considered as a bother.
And yet, she was asking that question...
For some reason, he wanted to point out what made this situation unusual.
Some weeks ago, all she cared to say was to stay away from the rooftop and then now, she was here doing exactly the same as him.
No matter how he looked at it, it was questionable.
Could it be a test? That if she couldn't make him obey with words, then she would do this instead?
Was it her way of showing what he had been doing in this place so he could understand?
"Hmm... I'd take your silence as a No." She went on, answering her own question and ending it with yet-again, another refreshing smile.
He almost forgot that she was asking a question due to his train of thoughts.
Anyway, it had been like this all the time. The only one he could exchange words were his self only.
He was way too consumed with his thoughts that having someone talking directly to him, just like this, was a new experience. Or maybe something that didn't happen that much. She wasn't a classmate or teammates yet she was conversing with him.
Honestly, she assumed he'd stay silent because that was how it had been so far.
It was fine. She'd take the silent treatment as the payback for bothering him in the last few months.
Mayuzumi heard her chuckle.
It sounded soft, so carefree, like a serene tune he had never heard among his female classmates and any other female acquaintances.
Would it be so out of character for him if he found that refreshing? It wasn't every day that he got to hear something like that – of a girl's laugh.
It was funny, everything about that girl was undeniably modest yet as a receiver, he liked to label it as annoying.
That irritating smile of her was even complimented by those striking jet black eyes, squinting gracefully in a pleasant appearance. How ironic it was, to be so appealing yet maddening?
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Days had passed and Mayuzumi Chihiro could finally admit that he was finally familiar with the new situation, of someone unofficially becoming his company at the rooftop.
There were no conversations being exchanged between them and that was just fine.
Sometimes, he would hear her commenting about the scenario happening in the book all by herself, which will be followed by Mayuzumi agreeing or disagreeing through his mind.
This went on and on.
Maybe this wasn't really an act because it already passed the due date he had provided for the director to yell the 'Cut! Good take!' who – for all he knew – could be hiding somewhere.
And the girl didn't seem to be writing anything as well.
Maybe he was just, indeed, being too wary.
He stood up and walked forward, stopping midway at the center of the place.
It took him a while before he could shift his head to eye the girl who seemed totally absorbed in the story of the Light Novel.
'Am I bothering you?' He remembered that one question.
He put one hand inside his pocket and without making any effort to change his usual expression, he uttered. "No, you're not." Out of the blue, all of a sudden, without explanation as to what he was referring to.
Eventually, upon hearing, her eyes finally came in contact with his gray orbs.
And what exactly was he saying? How long had he been speaking? It seemed like that was a reply for something or maybe a follow up. Overall, she couldn't comprehend.
"Sorry?" Her hand froze beside her ear with few strands of black hair tangled in between of fingers.
The way she firmly sat at the corner as if the place was narrow and that she seemed too careful not to make any kind of sounds took his attention.
Honestly, it was different from his first impression. Even her eyes, the way they looked at him felt deviant despite the fact that there was nothing bizarre about it. Maybe, he wasn't just used on being looked at or having someone he could exchange eyes with.
Ever since he began high school, it would always be him—the one eyeing someone. To be paid back with the same direct gazes just felt special.
But she could take his words to whatever she wanted. Mayuzumi didn't want to explain anything.
He wouldn't say that it was his reply to her question dated past one and half months ago.
He closed his eyes for a second, pulling aback to continue his steps and as simple as that, he walked away.
Was it really a habit of him to ignore a conversation?
Nonetheless, the girl delightedly watched him disappear. He didn't talk that much anyway, she reasoned to herself.
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It was one early morning when Mayuzumi suddenly thought of an addition to his list of 'Things he would not do unless the circumstances force him' and that was to come early at school.
Some days, he had to get up early to see his parents who were about to leave for Tokyo.
The reason was the usual—work stuffs.
Okay, this was life, the modern teenage life. You rarely have time spending and living with your parents because they were too busy working for the future. He had the house all by his self for the next few days, nothing new. That was fine. It was quiet, just perfect.
He listened to their seemingly endless reminder such as never forget to lock the door, eat properly, sleep 8 hours everyday, read some...good books. He never liked how they would always pause on that part. Like, seriously, what made his LNs not good?
However, he just nodded to everything to save his self from any arguments that would only drain his energy.
And since they had to catch the first train, they needed to get up early, leaving Mayuzumi with no other choice but to wake up the same time to see them off. So of course, it would lead him to head at school early in the morning as if he was a kindergarten student excited for his first day.
His bag properly clung to his shoulder as he held his current LN in one hand. He had been using the same streets ever since he was a child, so looking ahead wasn't really necessary anymore. He could easily travel without getting lost. Seeing the path on the surface of his eyesight helped him detect which way to take as well.
The destination was Rakuzan High. His feet knew when to turn right, when he would need to walk straight until he reach the familiar sidewalk that contained consecutive line of maple trees from both sides.
Except for the voice in his mind that was doing the reading, he could hear the sound caused by the swaying of the leaves above his head. There weren't much people accompanying his early walk except those who were in the middle of their morning run. Their heavy breathing entered his ears as they passed. It must be nice... to be that motivated, he thought.
It wasn't that he was a lazy person but Mayuzumi just didn't like exerting any effort or waste energy if it wasn't fun.
Right, just like the basketball club he was in.
He joined that for the sole purpose of keeping his self fit. Unfortunately, he was beginning to realize that it wasn't actually that fun.
He planned to quit. It was just a matter of when. When would he be motivated enough to do it?
On cue, he stopped his pace upon sighting the familiar gate from the corner of his eyes. He dropped his arm that was holding the book as he tucked it inside his bag.
He shrugged one side of his shoulder to stable the bag once again as he entered the campus.
His mind suddenly became available to accept anything that his surrounding would offer like the quietness of the place, the crunchy looking dried leaves on the ground, etc. If only this school could always be as quiet and peaceful as this then maybe he would be more excited to come every day.
Unfortunately, it wasn't. Only the haunted and abandoned school had that kind of ambiance.
Maybe he was more or less 1 hour early. What should he do for a while?
Upon reaching the entrance of the building, he suddenly heard another voice.
"Good morning, Seijuro-sama."
For a short while, he realized how other students could come as early as this, even earlier, every day and not by some certain situation like him. How dedicated of them.
So he wasn't the first one to arrive.
Suddenly, as if he just realized it, that name was familiar. Wasn't that the name of his genius freshman club captain?
Yes, he was right. He heard it correctly but he wouldn't bother looking if only he didn't recognize the voice that uttered it.
It was like a bell that suddenly rang inside his brain signaling that he knew the owner.
The third year student nonchalantly blinked towards the direction where the voice came from.
A simple curiosity was all it took for him to do that, although he tried his best to act casual.
It was her, indeed, the same girl from the rooftop.
She was early.
He spent more seconds in front of his shoe locker, doing unusual gestures like tapping the tip of his toe on the floor to brush off the dust it accumulated during his journey just to buy some time so he wouldn't have to interact with her.
His eyes travelled back to the figure of the girl nearby as he hid his gray orbs under his long bangs.
As much as he wanted to ignore the situation, he just couldn't, knowing they were the only ones present. He just wasn't sure if she was also aware of his presence.
Her body was slightly bent as if offering a bow. She did mention the name 'Seijuro'.
And speaking of that name, he sensed the arrival of that person behind, making a little stop to acknowledge the girl.
Akashi Seijuro went past him and then her, to proceed wherever he was heading.
Could he assume that those two didn't notice his presence around?
Ah, why was he asking that anyway?
He should have known the answer.
Of course they wouldn't.
It was him after all.
Anyhow, what was going on with that formality?
Was he not just a genius captain? Was he actually a prince? Why would someone give that amount of respect to that freshman?
The girl straightened her body and he saw her sighing at ease all of a sudden.
Mayuzumi closed his locker with a thud. His sight focused at front though, appearing uninterested. As he lifted his foot to step up at the hallway, their shoulders almost touched.
But that almost created a sensation, a small air hinting that someone suddenly appeared beside and for a moment there, it made her aware.
Mayuzumi blinked, towering her with his shadows because obviously their source of light was coming from behind, from the bulbs hanging above the ceiling and the fact that he was taller than her. She was below his shoulder in terms of their heights.
The girl's hands fell onto her chest as she looked at him in mild astonishment.
What, were you that surprised?
She looked past through him as if wondering where did he even come from and how did he suddenly appear beside her.
He already understood the meaning of that expression. He had been receiving that kind of face from almost everyone, always and all the time.
Yes, I've been here from the beginning.
Though their eyes met, Mayuzumi didn't consider stopping his way just to greet the girl as he continued his pace.
Technically, they weren't close. They weren't friends either. So, that was not necessary, he thought.
On his way, he could still hear footsteps behind him as if she was following.
Then he stopped, finally reaching his classroom.
He placed his hand on the sides, preparing to slid the door open. He knew he would be greeted by an empty classroom. That was only natural at this current time but that was fine. At least, for a while, he could read at peace. Even for a short time, he could consider this usual noisy classroom a good place to read. But before he could completely enter, he made a little glance.
Just a slight look of curiosity at the girl.
Where she was at? Weren't they just walking on the same direction?
And there she was, already ahead of him, in the hallway. Her hair kept bouncing as she walked. The surface of her blouse at the back created a wrinkle despite the unhurried-like movements.
Then, without any ado, she suddenly stopped. He blinked and shifted the direction of his head forward, though his eyes remained at her. He found his self actually waiting what she would do next.
First, she shifted her right foot at her back, putting her weight on it to fully revolve her body.
Next thing he knew, she was eyeing him – a surprised look which slowly, and gently changed into a smile as she sent a slight nod.
She wanted to greet him but she was having a second thought due to her failure of recognizing him earlier. She was somewhat embarrassed.
Ah. It was nice to see that he was looking already, that made it easy, she thought.
Slight widened eyes, in an instant, he knew he had to avert right away. Awkwardly in the inside but casually on the surface, he looked away as if something inside the classroom became interesting he couldn't take his eyes off.
He went inside, brushed off the thoughts in his mind and tried to remind his self of the last scene he read from his LN.