The classroom was anything but silence that time. Some of them were like a cat on a hot tin roof, while others remained still, unfazed by what had happened outside.
Meanwhile, at the outside, the Armorer was struggling against the kaiju. That was what we were told. Since our classroom was in between two large blocks, our sight were limited.
Moments after that,
*DOKKANNN!!!
and everything went silent.
"The Armorer win!" said one of the boys who stood quite tall, or taller than Iru, I guessed.
"Too early to say that." said another one with ivy league hairstyle.
A few minutes later, two figures entered the classroom.
Everyone was staring at the first one the moment he stepped inside, and he stared back with a death stare, causing everyone to look away.
Yes, that was Iru.
Then, another one entered. However, he was struggling to walk, seemingly injured.
They called him Ken if my memory served me well.
What was really happening?
Iru walked slowly towards his seat, his expression was unreadable.
The moment he leaned against his seat, I could feel it, the intense cold aura he radiated.
There must be something wrong with him.
At the same time, I wanted to ask him why.
But the situation seemed not right.
***
*Bell ringing
Finally, it was time to call it a day.
And there was no way I will get into the crowd again.
While everyone was heading out to the hallways, I saw Iru was walking to the south of the school instead.
So, I followed him from behind.
After a moment, he stopped midway, before turning back. Thus, his cold, tired eyes met mine.
I flinched a little, yet still managed to maintain my composure.
"Why are you following me?" he asked flat.
Yet I just continued walking until I reached him.
"Let's just continue walking."
Surprisingly, he followed me, and we walked together side by side.
"Should I ask him? There will be no time like this." I muttered under my breath.
So, I asked.
"Are you alright?"
He said nothing.
But I didn't stop.
"Iru, are you alright?"
He didn't say anything.
Ohh my... Why wouldn't you say anything?!
So, I asked again with a little bit empathy.
"If there is something you want to tell, I'm all ears."
He turned to me, face unreadable.
"Nothing, Fujisawa. Nothing." he said with monotone voice.
"There must be something happening, am I right?"
"The less you know, the better it is." he casually said.
Thus, he left me alone, heading out to the back gate.
"Urghhh... You are impossible."
*Sigh
***
12.45 pm.
I was sitting on the bus stop, waiting for my car to fetch me.
As I gazed at the blue sky, a question left me puzzled for a moment.
"Why did I suddenly care for Iru? Like, why would I even care if he is alright or not?"
I used to have many acquitances with boys at my old school, but never in my life I chose to care so much for a guy like this.
"The less you know, the better it is."
"What does that even mean?!"
*Sigh...
How could a person so mysterious like this even existed?
"Urghh..."
***
It was 2.45 pm.
I was in the living room, watching the afternoon news on the 50-inch television while lying on the light brown couch.
Then, my eyes suddenly shifted to the footages they played on the news.
"Recently, a kaiju attack has occured near the village of Bodgai. The attack is caused by a black kaiju standing at 60 meters tall, destroying several houses and even nearby construction site with its acid spit. Fortunately, the kaiju was put down for good by the new Armorer who managed to save the day."
"So that is the Armorer, huh. Black and neon.. Doesn't look like Armorer Typhoon at all."
As I watched the footage of the Armorer fighting against the kaiju, the moment replayed itself in my mind.
Until there was something that intrigued my mind.
Iru and Ken weren't in the class during the kaiju attack. By the time the two returned, Ken was injured on his knee. The Armorer was hit with acid on his knee as well... It can't be...
To be honest, I was genuinely overwhelmed by the mystery behind all of this.
So, I left the living room and climbed the staircase to my bedroom.
*CLICK!
Then, I let myself be embraced by the comfort of the bed before pulling the phone out of my pocket.
"How about I give Yoko a call?"
*Phone ringing
A few seconds later,
"Amane! What's up? There must be something on your mind, am I right?"
She knew me too well.
"Well, you know me, hehe."
"Then, tell me."
So, I told her everything.
"Actually, I got a problem with a guy at my school. You see, do you remember the guy who sit beside me?"
She paused for a moment.
"Yes... His name is Iru, right?"
"Yes! Do you want to know something?"
"What is it?"
"I think he is some kind of superhuman."
"Superhuman?! HAHAHAHAHA! Just because he saved you from falling rubbles in seconds that you felt like he teleported you away?"
"Not only that, but today, he suddenly disappeared when a kaiju attacked nearby village, and returned unharmed."
Yoko laughed even harder.
"Amane, you must be watching the Giant of Light series a lot. This can't be true, right?"
"No, Yoko. You know that the Armorers exist, right?"
"Of course, but why would an Armorer assume the identity of a student?"
"Why wouldn't he?"
"Hmmm, whatever. By the way, he looks cold, brooding and somehow, fine . Do you ever talk to him?"
"Yes, and he is a man of few words."
"I see... How about you investigate more about him and tell me more later?"
"You ask me to do what?! You have no idea how hard it is to even talk to him."
"Then, ask your classmates. They must know at least a piece of his past."
I had to admit, that was a good idea.
"Alright then. I will consider your idea."
After that, we chatted for almost 2 hours straight.
***
Another day came.
Everything seemed normal and everyone attended the school as usual.
The class 4-RK, as usual, being as noisy as ever early in the morning. The boys seemed in a rush after knowing that there were homeworks needed to be sent during the first class. Meanwhile, the girls were on their respective seats, having a little chat among themselves, watching the latest music video from their favourite idol group, and even doing a little revision.
And there he was, leaning against his seat, an arm closing his eyes, clearly unbothered by the surroundings.
So, I reached my seat and put down my bag, before pulling several books out for the first class in the morning.
Needed to at least read a little before class.
***
Two hours had passed, and we were in Madam Hana's mathematic class at the moment.
Madam Hana was explaining something about logical reasoning in front of the class. Notes regarding statement, implications, negation and quantifier were all over the whiteboard.
I was writing all the notes stated at the whiteboard until I realised that I miswrote the word 'anticedent' to 'antidecent'.
Well, that happened when I wrote too fast.
So, I reached for the eraser at the corner of my table, but instead of grabbing it, my hand accidentally caused it to fall off the table.
And all of a sudden, a hand caught it mid-fall, like 0.1 milisecond after it fell.
It was Iru, catching the eraser while his eyes didn't escape the whiteboard.
This man is surely something.
He then put it back on my table.
"Thanks. By the way, you got a good reaction time over there."
I couldn't help but to say it!
Yet he said nothing, as if I was talking to the wall of an ancient fortress.
Does he realise that I am here?
Wait, of course he does. He won't catch the eraser if otherwise.
But at least, say something!
Then came the recess.
*Bell ringing
It has been three days of schooling, and I started to get used to every corner of this school.
Well, actually only 30% of it.
Once I pushed my seat under the table, a hand patted me on my right shoulder two times.
So, I turned to my back and Wan and Zera were standing right behind me with a smile carved on their face.
"Hey, Amane! You must be hungry, right? How about we grab a bite to eat?"
Zera grabbed my right arm.
"Yeah, sure! I haven't eat anything by the way."
Then, my body was pulled away by Zera, and we made our way to grab a bite.
Right after that, we retreated under the shades of a gazebo's roof near a tennis court. Thus, we enjoyed our meals together.
Until I remembered what Yoko said the previous day.
"Then, ask your classmates. They must know at least a piece of his past."
So, I asked them.
"By the way, does Iru have no friends at school?"
Their eyes widened.
"What? Ohhhh, not really. In fact, it is otherwise. He has a lot of friends here." said Wan.
"Yes, we are one of them." said Zera.
"But why does he often go anywhere alone? He doesn't even talk with the boys in the class."
"Hmmm, if I recall, it was several months prior when he suddenly acted brooding and serious. We thought it was some identity crisis phase teenagers often faced, but it was worse than that."
Wan's tone became a little serious.
"What happened?" I tilted.
"Well, we realised that he suddenly changed the moment after the kaiju army attacked the whole Earth. At that point, there was no punchline powerful enough to make him at least smile, let alone laugh."
Her words reminded me of that day.
"That day, huh. I still remember it. The Earth turned into a living hell. Kaijus were everywhere, going on a rampaging spree. Buildings collapsed, humans were scattered. Some were missing in action, or worse, losing their life to the kaijus, while others survived and lived to tell the tale."
Their faces changed with a faint hint of sadness and sorrow.
Then, I continued my story.
"I thought that I was almost died that day due to a large stream of flames almost had me engulfed. Had he wasn't there, I won't be here right now."
"Who is he?" Zera tilted her head.
I paused for a moment.
"Typhoon, Armorer Typhoon. He was truly a hero. Once he shielded me from the flames, he had the kaiju slain effortlesly before he flew away. If given a chance, I would like to express my gratitude towards him."
Wan and Zera met each other's eyes. Thus, a faint smile carved on their face.
"Well, good luck for that. By the way, why do you suddenly ask about Iru? Can it be that you are..." Wan grinned.
"Interested in him?" Zera finished her words.
All of a sudden, my pulse was thrumming against my collarbone, hot and insistent.
My eyes widened.
"Well, not really... It's just, you know, it feels kind of weird sitting beside someone who radiates an intense cold and killing aura every day."
I don't even know if what I say is true. To be honest, I feel a little bit confused right now.
They chuckled together.
"HAHAHAHAHA! You are right, Amane. That is surely make you feel uncomfortable, isn't it. Don't worry, we will talk to him about it."
"Wait, you don't have to. Just let him be."
I'm afraid he might be giving me that death stare.
"By the way, Amane, I believe he already considers you a friend the moment you become our classmates. So, don't you worry about that, okay?" Zera patted my shoulder.
"And, if you really want to express your gratitude towards Armorer Typhoon, just do what you believe is right. Surely, that will reach his heart one day." said Wan.
Her words puzzled me a little.
What does that even mean? Why do we suddenly talk about Armorer Typhoon right now?
"Ehhh?" I stared at her.
"Nothing! Just do what you think is right. Right, Zera?" Wan decided to brush it off.
"Yes!" Zera only nodded.
The two grinned among themselves.
It was genuinely puzzling.
There were so many mystery here.
My head wanted to blow up just by thinking of it!
Then, something came up on my mind.
How about I do what I believe is right?
***
*Bell ringing again.
Finally, we called it a day again.
I was packing up all of my stuff while Iru already pushed his seat under the table.
He is so fast!
Once I finished packing up, I tried to catch up with him, who was about to pass through the door.
So, I followed him to the back gate again, with a chocolate waffle inside a paper bag in my hand.
Well, I decided to order one during recess, and had it sent to school at the moment.
Luckily, the rider sent it on time before the next class.
I believed he realised that I was there, yet somehow he just continued walking.
Therefore, I yelled his name, which I wasn't supposed to, but I had to, or else he will walk away.
"Why are you yelling, Fujisawa?" he was utterly confused.
So, I fastened my footsteps until I stood right before him.
"Here! It's for you."
I handed him the paper bag.
He just stared at me, face unreadable.
"Is this a love confession?" he said with a monotone voice.
What?! Do I look like I am confessing to you?
"No! It's just... something to make you smile today. Your face is too..."
"Too what?"
"Too disturbing that it feels like I am watching the fear incarnate."
*GASP...
I accidentally say it!
His eyes widened a little.
"No one has ever said that to my face."
"Sorry... "
I was nervous, and I knew I just made the matter became worse.
Then, he continued to walk away.
So, my hand instinctively tugged on his sleeve.
"Please, I don't know what is going on in your life, but at least smile a little, or you can tell everything to me, I'm all ears."
And our eyes met at the moment. His expression remained serious, yet his eyes softened a little.
"Do you always talk like this to a stranger you barely know?"
"Only if that stranger saved me from danger, for sure."
He let out a heavy sigh.
"What is inside that bag?"
"Nothing special, by the way."
So, he accepted the gift I gave him.
"Be careful on your way home, Fujisawa." he said casually.
Thus, he walked away, leaving me standing alone behind the gate.
Since he accepts my gift, does that mean he considers me as a friend?
I guess it is.
***
Back at home, inside my room, I was sitting alone, clicking through the keyboard on the phone screen.
Yeah, I was chatting with Yoko on the phone.
"Wait, you just gave him a gift? You gave a stranger a gift?!"-Yoko
"He is not that strange, Yoko. He saved me twice this week."
"Yet you barely know his background, don't you?"-Yoko
"Yes...? It's just, I am being nice, okay?"
"No, you don't! You never gave the boys here presents, even though they always helped you."-Yoko
"No, it's just, I hate seeing him all brooding like that. He doesn't even talk when I thanked him."
"Yet, why do you even bother to make him smile? You can just let him be like that, right?"-Yoko
I paused for a moment.
"Now, ask your feeling. What do you feel about him? Do you consider him your friend, or it is something else?"-Yoko
"I... don't know."
"Then, it's decided. You like him, don't you?"-Yoko
"EHHHHH?!!!"
"Yes, dear. That is the truth. Ohh my... How can you be so dense?"-Yoko
"Ouch!"
At first, I was left puzzled by this revelation, until that moment replayed in the back of my head.
The moment he saved me from the delinquents. The moment he pulled off his hood.
Then, I realised how cool he was at that moment.
And this might be the truth.
"Hmmmmm, I guess you are right, Yoko. I believe that despite his cold demeanor, he couldn't hide his kindness."
"I see... So he is kind, yet mysterious, isn't he?"-Yoko
"Well, that mystery part is kind of hooking for me."
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Dear, dear... You are an open book. By the way, good luck on winning his heart!"-Yoko
Well, Yoko surely knew me too well.
And that was why I loved her.
So, this is love, huh?
And I guess...
I just fall in love with somebody.