"Think about it Emily. Most humans are born with five senses. Some four; others three; fewer two; rarely is anyone born with only one; and no one is born without any of the five senses. But imagine if someone is born with none. Nobody but a mind. Never were they aware of the existence of matter. They cannot feel the flow of time. They aren't even aware of the laws of the universe. However, these people are sentient and intelligent. They must still think, perceive, and live. Their mind would literally be a universe, and they'd be the god of that universe!"
". . ."
"Emily?"
". . ."
"Hey! E. . . Mi. . . Lyyyyyyyyyyy. . ."
". . ."
"Mr. Leo. I take it you have something to share with the class?"
"Yes! Uhh, I mean. . . umm. . . No. Sorry. Uh, no. Not really."
Emily was beginning to struggle masking her laughter as coughs. Never before had she attempted concentrating on her textbook with such effort.
Once the bell rang, Emily could finally look at Leo without worsening her condition.
"What? You giving me the silent treatment now?"
". . ."
"Leo? Leee. . . Ooooooooooooo. . ."
". . ."
"Look, it's Kaori. Hey! Kaori! Come sit with us."
So, Kaori did exactly that with her usual omnipotent attitude. But just before she felt the need to ask something despite seemingly already knowing the answer?
"Why does Leo's face look like that?"
"My face looks completely normal I'll have you know"
"If you say so. . . But actually. I'm curious. Why is Leo acting like a nervous ball of yarn?"
"The teacher caught him talking to me in class. It doesn't matter anymore. Wanna grab a coffee on the way home and study a bit? And Leo, can you go grab my umbrella for me? It's in my locker."
"Can't you do it yourself?"
"I can, but then I won't share mine with you?"
"Why would I want to do that?"
"So you checked the weather app and brought an umbrella? Or are you too embarrassed to share the umbrella with me?"
Leo accepted his defeat and went to her locker. While the rain pittered and pattered on the other side of windows, he felt alone in his own world. It felt off. . . somehow.