Before I knew it, the bell rang. The chiming sound wasn't what woke me up from dozing off. It was the teacher mentioning something about an essay we'd have to submit by next class; tomorrow.
I dreaded for what's about to greet me at home, a shit pile of assignments to do and catch up on.
I quickly brushed it off, determined to extend my luxurious happy times while I'm still alive. The echoing scrape of chairs as the students stood up ticked me off. I was already in a gray mood, so the loud sounds weren't helping a lot.
As I slung my bag over my shoulder, a sudden force hit my chest. Kanata, a dear classmate and friend of mine, had shoved a notebook against my chest.
" In case you weren't listening, the details about the essays are in here. " — She spoke in an almost scolding way.
" Geez. Punch harder next time will you?"
It felt like I had been punched by Captain Falcon. All that was left for her to shout the infamous line, and I would probably be lying down by the infirmary by now.
I clutched her notebook against my chest, trying to ease the slight pain and to show her that I had accepted her thoughtful action. I began to slowly walk out of the classroom
" You seemed like you passed out standing up. " — She tilted her head as she started following me from behind — "Rough day?"
"Nah." — I paused before adding, — " Just got assaulted by a book."
I heard her scoff behind me, and I chose to ignore her by moving on and stepping out of the classroom.
She was probably speaking, but the hall's footsteps clattering and chatter swallowed her words. It's lunchtime now, after all.
"Is it a guy?" — She jogged towards me and caught up.
I clenched my bag strap. She hadn't hit the nail, but the finger. She's almost there, but not quite. I am currently troubled by a man, though not in the way people would expect.
I'm troubled by a man who stole my dearest friend away. I hate his guts, and I wish he gets the worst side of the story.
Although, I want to vent out this vexation this stupid man has pent up inside me, I don't think it's really wise to tell Kanata about it. At least, for now.
"Something like that." — I gave her a vague answer, enough to satisfy her curiosity. I grinned a little.
I could give her something to fangirl about, and right as the climax comes, I leave her hanging. Cliffhanger, if you will. I don't really wanna deal with a nosy Kanata at the moment.
"Oh?! Are you perhaps troubled by a certain Inoue?!"
I almost froze, but I kept on walking. This time, speeding up because she knew exactly who I was troubled by.
This obviously grabbed Kanata's attention, and I heard her giggling behind me. She eventually caught up though.
"Bullseye." — She cried as she clung into my arm.
I took a glance at her, and as I expected, she had that stupid smug grin on her face.
I didn't expect her to immediately know who I'm talking about, so I can't even think of anything to deflect the situation. I sighed in defeat. Almost laughing at myself.
I could never handle Kanata. She's always got a hold of me in conversations, like she's playing with me most of the time.
I tugged my arm away, and Kanata continued to hum. Clearly unbothered.
Then, carried by the bustling noise of the hallway, a familiar fragrance brushed past me.
My steps faltered.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to shrink to that single, fleeting presence.