Uniform: Check. Blonde hair. Grin that spells trouble: Check. Trailing a student: Check.
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Kaede:
Well, here I am again. Looks like my story isn't over yet. Yay.
I looked at the crowd—ugh, so pleasant: Everyone looked totally depressed. Shiro, Riku, even Ichigo. My gaze swept across the classroom. Only one person was acting normal as always: Yuna smiled and even waved at me.
I looked away and ignored her—cold as ever.
I was just heading to my seat when I noticed Riku's deadly glare. I sat down next to him, then whispered flatly into his ear:
"Hey Riku, I think Yuna might like me more."
Riku reached out and grabbed my collar—exactly as expected.
"Teacher, Riku's grabbing me!"
"Riku, please move to the front."
"But—"
"No buts. I'm tired of these arguments."
Hmm... maybe I was too harsh on Riku. I should send him off with kindness.
I put on a smile and waved at him goodbye:
"I'm gonna destroy you. I'm gonna destroy you. I'm gonna destroy you. Yep, destroy you," Riku muttered to himself in a depressed tone as he robotically walked to the front row.
"Now then, Kaede, please stand up again—you still have to give your presentation on magic zones."
Desperate face. Reflex.
I really don't feel like this. Honestly, I just wanna sleep. As they say: sleep during the day keeps the doctor away.
Whatever. She can't force me. If she tries, I'll just run away again.
"Uh… oh, that's today… well, I couldn't prepare because of Shiro… and I also have a headache…"
... Silence ...
"Alright then, Kaede. Until tomorrow."
Man, she's dumb. Does she really think I'm coming back to school tomorrow?
"Excuse me, Susuna. But judging by how fast Kaede ran earlier, I'd say he's perfectly fine. In fact—I'd bet on it—he's not coming back tomorrow."
Huh? He totally exposed me. Why's he even butting in? My whole body froze. My eye twitched in irritation.
What is it with this teacher?! No—what's with this school?
"Those are some nice accusations, but I reject them. I would never skip school. Never."
I shook my head left to right and back again while grinning.
Hah, got him. Didn't expect a comeback, huh?
"Oh really, Kaede? Are you sure about that?"
"Of course I am."
I looked back out the window—this time at the big tree.
"Really sure?"
"Really really?"
"Totally."
I looked back at him—and saw a tiny electric ball floating in his hand.
Not again... my face froze in terror. Reflex.
"You know what – I suddenly feel much better."
I quickly walked to the front of the class.
This is a side quest—I can't decline. It comes with a death penalty.
Also: How can he blackmail me so casually in front of the class, stay calm, and still grin?! It's not my fault!
"Alright then, um, I'll begin…"
Stare… stare… stare…
"Are you going to start or what?" Susuna asked.
"Well, class, who's seen a magic zone? No one? Good."
"What do we learn from this? You need magic to create a magic zone."
"Alright. Thanks for listening – that was my presentation."
Susuna and Shiro stared at me in confusion, just like the rest of the class, while I made my way back to my seat.
"Not so fast, buddy – explain it properly."
"Huh? I just explained for like two minutes."
I pulled a face. Reflex.
"Huh?! You stared out the window for one minute and fifty seconds, Kaede!!"
Must we do this? I did my job.
"YES WE MUST!!! Now explain it."
"Fine."
So... where do I begin?
"Magic zones are made of magic."
Five-second pause.
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I turned to Susuna and asked with a demotivated voice:
"Is that enough?"
"No. Please continue."
"In theory, anyone who reaches a certain level of strength can have a unique magic zone with unique abilities."
Five-second pause.
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"Is that enough?"
"NO, KEEP GOING. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
"Fine," I said sleepily, yawned, and rubbed my eye.
Then I spoke in a demotivated tone.
"Normally, you need at least A-rank to create a magic zone. But there are exceptions."
"Uhm… hmm…"
I looked back out the window. Clouds were forming. Rain coming soon. My eyes grew heavy, and I yawned.
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"KAEDE!"
"Uh oh yeah sorry. Uah."
"A magic zone is a small area completely surrounded by magic. The magic walls of all zones are visible, but you can't see through them. All objects inside stay inside – and if a tree falls, it stays fallen. That means: the magic zone isn't a separate dimension, just an area where you have stronger and new abilities."
"The size and how easy it is to leave depend on the zone's strength."
"So, to make it idiot-proof: a magic zone is basically a magic barrier – but it's easier to break, and also more deadly because it gives the user super strong powers."
"But if we're talking about another dimension, that's dimensional magic."
"Alright. That enough?"
"Yes, thank you, Kaede. You may sit."
Finally.
Kaede returned to his seat. The whole class stared at him as he flopped onto his chair.
Kaede:
"That was Oscar-worthy," I thought. "Now I just have to kill time, and I'm free."
Since Riku was in the front row, I was safe for now. I leaned back, sighed, and slowly closed my eyes. The hole table for me yes.
"Yeah probably," I muttered inside, "I'll be punished with another presentation. But that's future me's problem."
I fell asleep – as usual. Not my fault the teacher sucks at her job. And the class... well, it's like bad coke with side effects.
"KAEDE! KAEDE, WAKE UP RIGHT NOW!"
I didn't hear Susuna's screaming. I was deep asleep.
Suddenly, Poke. Poke. One more. Someone poked me three times. I woke up, half drooling.
"Uh… yeah, sorry?"
"What did I say earlier, Kaede?"
"Uh… that I should wake up?"
"No! Before that!"
Another poke. I turned left. Ichigo. She smiled and slid me a note.
Why is she sitting next to me since when?
I picked it up and read out loud:
"Homework is pages 10 to 15 in the magic textbook. Also, we'll pair up tomorrow. I'm in a group with Ichigo."
"Hey hey hey – wait. What? Why is she smiling like that? I'm usually with Riku. Why her now? What does she want from me?"
I lowered the note and looked around nervously. Something felt off. Suddenly, becoming a street hobo seemed like a serious career option. At least I could sleep whenever I wanted.
"You totally read that off the note!" Susuna yelled angrily.
"What note?" I asked innocently as I casually slipped the note into my bag. Everyone saw it.
Susuna stared at me, devastated like she had just given up on life. I wondered if she was about to cry. She sure looked like it.
"Okay. Fine. … Wonderful."
"Thank you for your contribution, Kaede. That was… unforgettable. In a bad way. I need a break now. Like, a three-week break," she said dryly, closed her book, and walked out with stiff posture and trembling hands.
"Is she depressed?" I wondered.
"Hey Kaede!" Ichigo's voice pulled me from my thoughts. What now?
"Huh? What is it, Ichigo?" I looked at her.
"Do you want to come over tonight?"
"No," I said flatly and quickly.
"I'll give you 50 Rull."
"I'm in," I replied even faster and gave her a thumbs up.
"Seriously, are you that easy to buy?" she asked with a crooked smile.
"I'm in. Unless you want me to change my mind."
"No, it's fine. See you tonight, haha. Bye Kaede."
"Haha – 50 Rull = a month of free food. Bingo." I felt very smart.
I'll wait till she asks me out, then I'll dump her, take the money, and disappear. Foolproof.
Evening:
It was late and dark. The sky was clear, the full moon nearly perfect. Ichigo lived in a complex just inside the academy barrier. I wondered what she really wanted. A date? Or worse... she actually wants to study. I hate nerds.
I reached her door. It looked exactly like mine. Red door, blue walls, same old setup.
Knock knock knock. I waited a few seconds, then the door opened.
"Ah, there you are, Kaede. Thought you'd never come."
"Money."
"Haha, yeah yeah. Come on in. I'll give it to you later."
She led me into the apartment. It was clean, neat, a bit too tidy. The smell of freshly cooked food hung in the air.
"Come, I cooked us something."
"Free?" I asked suspiciously.
"Yes, free."
"Okay." I sat down. Wow, she really dolled herself up. Her hair tied back with a ribbon, light red lips, perfume strong enough to fill the whole room. She's totally into me. This'll be a piece of cake. As expected. I grinned. Reflex.
I looked around. The walls were violet, books and tech junk everywhere. Nerd alert.
"Whatever, you can do this, Kaede," I whispered to myself. "Show your best side – for the 50 Rull."
My biggest weakness: Money.
"Say, Kaede... do you have a girlfriend?"
"No."
What kind of question is that? Do I look like I have a girlfriend? Ichigo looked away, toward the living room, a little nervous—but why?
I am not the guy that is experienced with girls but how me.
I took a bite. It tasted better than expected. She can really cook maybe i should accept her. I chewed and spoke with my mouth full:
"Hey Ichigo... are we alone?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"No reason, you just seem kinda down."
"It's nothing."
"If you say so. But seriously, how did you make this food taste so good?" What's happening to me? Why am I talking so openly and why....
I suddenly saw her smile shift into something fake.
"Hey Kaede? What's wrong, something up?"
Her voice distorted, my head got heavy. My vision blurred. What was that? A sedative?
"Kaede?! What's going on?"
Boom.
Kaede lost consciousness.
Ichigo:
"Finally. Took him long enough to fall asleep. Unbelievable." His blood flows so slowly, it takes three times longer for the drug to work. What a lazy guy.
She rolled her shoulders, pulled out a crystal device, and placed it on Kaede's chest.
"Let's begin," she said and grinned.
Three hours later.
Beep beep beep.
Kaede:
I slowly opened my eyes. But this time I knew exactly what had happened.
That psycho drugged me. Why is it always me?
"Well look who's awake – Kaede," said Ichigo. Her tone was completely different – calm, almost cold. "Here's your 50 Rull, by the way."
She threw the pouch onto the blanket.
"What the hell was that?! That was you, wasn't it?!"
"Of course. I found it... suspicious that you could keep up with Shiro, despite his higher rank. Your behavior was odd too. So I used the chance to measure your magic powers."
"You... what?"
"Unfortunately, I found nothing about your shadow magic. But something else interesting: You use Explosion Magic. S-rank."
I stayed silent. My expression darkened. Great. I'm caught.
"That makes you a talent. Only 5% of mages have two magic types, and both above C rank."
"What do you want from me?"
"Two things," she said. "First: Participate more in class. I demand it as class president."
A control freak. All that's missing is the loud voice.
"And second..."
Silence. Her posture shifted. Then she stuttered:
"I... I want you to help me... get together with Shiro."
Silence.
"Are you serious?"
"Nope. I'm out. I'd rather be betrayed than help with that."
"PLEASE KAEDE! I can't do it alone! Pleaaaase you are his friend!"
And there's the loud voice.
"I should leave now—for Shiro's and my sake," I said and turned away.
"NO."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO? LET GO OF MY LEG, YOU MANIAC! I'D RATHER DANCE THAN SPEND ANOTHER SECOND TALKING TO YOU, YOU WITCH! AND YOU EVEN INSULTED HIM—YOU'RE GETTING DUMBER BY THE SECOND," I screamed as I tried to break free from her grip.
She wouldn't let go. How strong can a girl grip?!
"If you won't help, I'll go to the military and tell them everything about your powers. Then they'll come for you," she said desperately.
Okay that's it. Who the hell writes this crap? Hello author, I'm about to stop narrating if I meet any more crazies. No—better—I'll stop existing.
I took a deep breath. "Fine! Fine! I'll help you!"
I sighed. My fingers twitched, and my dream of a quiet life slipped further away.
"Why. Always. Me."