Change begins

///

I believe that people are creatures of habit. Change is not something that easily comes for us. I especially dislike the idea of having the way I've been living for around eight years changing.

///

In the morning I got up, took a shower, and drank some tea before heading out. Again, the repeat of yesterday's news was on the tv screen. The international news section showed the usual.

Something about the possibility of the Communists and Republicans restarting the fighting, due to the large movement of personnel near the de-militarization zone. The representatives of Japan and the US say that actions will be taken if fighting restarts. The hunt for anti-league organizations that are rising around the world continues.

So yeah nothing unusual.

The world is shit as always.

My fridge was empty, so I went to buy breakfast at a nearby convenience store as I always do.

It's the small things that make me wish that I had a girlfriend.

///

I arrived at school, late for the first-period lesson.

Munataka-sensei was not happy but all he did was tell me to take my seat. I'm considered a lost cause by most of the school at this point, so even a hard-ass like my homeroom teacher has his limits.

Other than that, no one else paid attention to me and I did the same in kind.

But for whatever reason, I was conscious of Harumi's presence. Maybe because she sat next to me, like a blinking statue.

The strange feeling from yesterday was back. I still don't know what it is.

Maybe appendicitis? I sure hope so.

Appendicitis would probably be better than what I suspect it is.

///

The roof was empty for lunchtime. Just the way I like it.

The red spot was ever-present, it's been two days since someone was made to disappear. What's taking the school so long to clean it up? Maybe they just can't?

She was still sitting there. On the same spot. Eating the same energy bar looking thing in unmarked packaging.

I sat down and bit into the dorayaki.

There was a taste of honey and red bean paste in my mouth, but I didn't pay any attention to it. My mind was focused on something else.

Harumi left as the bell rang. The same strange and mechanical body movements, as if some invisible puppeteer was pulling strings attached to the fragile-looking girl.

When she left so did the strange feeling. I could breathe easy after that.

Nothing really changed from my daily routine at all. The girl's presence was negligible it seems. She did not approach me like I thought she would.

…

…

Somewhere in my twisted heart, I hoped that nothing would change.

///

The final hurdle of the day was sparring practice for the seventh period. Munataka-sensei caught me trying to ditch class.

As punishment Munataka-sensei made me fight someone he held in high regard.

Namely, the class representative, who is somewhere in the top five hundred of the school ranking.

Not that I remembered it at that moment.

The class rep also knew judo, she told us so during the self-introduction at the start of the year. I was reminded of that when my whole body was thrown against the floor.

Muntataka-sensei sounded a bit too happy when he was shouting 'Get up Suzuki!'. The class rep also wanted to blow off some steam, so I was thrown very hard and many times.

What a pain in the ass.

Me being thrown around, beaten up or hurt in general was really nothing new, this is why I prefer skipping annoying lessons like sparring class. Since it involves me receiving a lot of damage in some way.

This usually goes on until the lesson ends or alternatively, I manage to somehow slip away.

But today was a bit different.

There was a loud scream that resounded through the whole practice ground. An unusually loud scream, as if someone got seriously injured.

After recovering from hitting my head a bit too hard, I looked at the source.

Only to see a guy with his whole arm being twisted at an unnatural angle. As if his arm was turned the whole 360 degrees.

It was obvious that his shoulder muscles have been stretched and torn forcefully. I can't see how the guy's arm looks like but his screaming and wailing makes it clear that he is in a lot of pain.

The perpetrator was Harumi obviously. She somehow actually got to participate in a spar. My guess would be that Munataka-sensei really did not believe the rumors after all.

He will probably start believing them after this.

Who knows maybe the school will try to cover up this incident too?

Another part of me was wondering how the hell did Harumi manage to avoid causing a scene yesterday. I didn't hear about anyone being hurt. The only things I saw yesterday is Harumi just scaring people or making them feel very uncomfortable.

Or maybe she did cause an incident, and I just forgot about it. That would also explain why other students would be so adamant about keeping a distance from Harumi.

My classmates on the training ground were panicking, completely forgetting the first-aid's training that we're taught. But to be fair I don't think that first aid is going to help.

Muntaka-sensei was already attending to the guy, barking orders to other students to call the hospital on campus.

That guy's arm might be useless at this point.

But most importantly everyone was distracted.

This was a great opportunity, so I snuck away like originally intended.

///

After changing out of my tracksuit into the school uniform, I ran straight for the main school building. Shame I didn't have enough time to take a shower, otherwise, Munataka-sensei would force me to clean the toilets after school. But my body still feels nasty, I'll just have to take a bath after getting home.

As I ran through the empty corridors, past the 'No running!' posters and banners I arrived at the classroom. It was empty since everyone is still panicking on what to do with the guy's arm. Which only means that their still probably too busy to notice my absence.

I need to hurry and get out of here.

I go over to my desk and pick up my school bag. Since my apartment keys in it, I can't really forget about it.

Even with my wonky memory, there are some things I just have to keep in mind. I'm still too young to go senile after all.

Better get going, there's no time for lollygagging.

I start to take my leave but bump into something with my chest. It's very firm and does not budge. As if I ran into a very, very tough rock.

After staggering a bit, I turn my attention to the person who is blocking my way.

The strange feeling was coursing through my entire body.

"What are you doing here?" I sound more annoyed than intended. The fact that I could barely feel any reaction coming from her makes me a little bit insecure.

Harumi is dressed in her school uniform, like me, she changed out from her tracksuit. While I can still feel worn out. The girl looks no different than usual. Is the training we do that easy for her.

I guess that's not surprising, considering what her abilities are.

"I want you to explain." The usual flat tone, the emotionless delivery, and robotic words. Nothing seems to bother her.

"Expla-… Actually, no wait you didn't answer my question, what are you doing here?"

I was sure that Harumi was still on the training ground. Or at the very least being scolded for taking things too far. Knowing Muntataka-sensei, he might have praised Harumi as an exemplary student.

Either way that would not matter to her either way.

"I pursued you."

"…Why?"

Did something cause her to take an interest in me? She doesn't seem like a person that takes much independent action unless someone pushes her to act.

"I want you to explain."

It feels like we've had this conversation just recently. Another thing I forgot probably.

"Explain what?" And my response also sounds strangely familiar.

"The words you said, I want you to explain. The previous explanation was insufficient."

"What words?"

"'Why don't you try doing something you want for a change.' Are the words that need clarification."

"All of them?"

"Affirmative."

What you mean she doesn't understand what I said or she doesn't understand the meaning?

"And how was my previous explanation insufficient."

"Your explanation was 'Doing something you want is just that. If you want to feel pleasure you take action to feel pleasure. Even if someone thinks it's a bad idea. ...Now that I think about it, that sounds kind of bad.' Is what you have said. It was insufficient."

Is that what I told her, if it is then I sounded really dumb. And how did she memorize all that? She even mimicked my style of speech. Still, her tone sounded as unemotional as ever, if she worked on that she'd be able to impersonate a lot of people.

"…Well, that does sound like a pretty bad way of explaining 'those words'."

She's looking at me with the same red eyes. For some reason, she seems annoyingly persistent about this.

No wait I need to get going, Muntatak-sensei would have already noticed my absence by now.

"Can we do this later I have other business to attend to."

I walk past Harumi and make my way to the classes exit. But someone grabbed onto my wrist and does not let me go.

And I don't really want to think who is holding a part of my body right now. Because the single thought of Harumi tightening her grip makes me very uncomfortable.

She was holding onto my wrist. Her delicate fingers were making contact with my skin. They were not long enough to even fully grasp my arm and were just weekly holding onto me. Calling this a grip was not right, it feels like more of a very light touch.

Yet these delicate looking fingers can easily crush me. Just a bit more pressure and my hand would disconnect from my arm. The bones, muscle, and skin crushed with such ease that you'd think I'm made out of snow.

I try to pry myself away from Harumi. Even with such a light touch, she has no issue of stopping me from leaving. As if holding onto a small animal.

What kind of monstrous strength is this?

"I want you to explain." Her facial expression does not change. Harumi does not even understand what huge distress she's causing me right now.

Prying my hand free from her is impossible.

"Didn't I already give you an explanation."

It seems all I can do is talk to her.

"I do not understand your 'explanation'."

"What part exactly didn't you understand then."

"You used words I am not familiar with." …what?

"What words?"

"There words were: kill, forget, something, want, bad, popular, friends, school, Nagasaki, popular, weirdo, love..."

…What!

"Stop, just stop." I interjected. It felt like if I don't, she's going to keep talking forever. "For starters let go of my wrist. I won't run away so let go."

She did as I told, releasing the 'weak' hold from my arm.

I quickly glance at it to understand how did she manage to keep me completely immobile.

Nor red marks, no pain, I barely feel anything except the warmth of another person. Harumi really was just weakly holding onto my wrist. Without even putting much effort.

How strong is this girl supposed to be? I just don't get it.

"You seriously don't understand the meaning of those words?"

"Affirmative."

"And you want me to explain… the words you don't understand?"

Some of those words didn't sound like something I would use. Did I really say them? Friends? Popular? Love? Those are not something I would use often or even say them out loud.

Did I really talk to her abou-

"Affirmative." Harumi answering me, interrupting my train of thought.

"…Why?"

"…?"

No answer. Harumi just keeps giving me the same empty look.

Why me of all people? Is it because I spoke to her yesterday about some of these 'things'?

"I'm asking why you want me to do this. Can't you just ask someone else?".

"…"

Again, no answer. I'd ask why she's not replying but I have a feeling that Harumi is just going to be silent.

It looks like she's waiting for me to explain, I guess. Until I do that she might never get off my case. I don't find it very comfortable being followed around something akin to…

Oh yeah, I remember reading a couple of sci-fi books where some kind 'weapons of mass destruction' existed. Weapons that can wipe out the concept of life itself.

I can't remember how those weapons were called though. Or was it a weapon of mass destruction?

I guess Harumi can be compared to that, only on a smaller and personal scale.

Yeah, having one of these weapons of mass destruction following me around doesn't make me feel comfortable.

And isn't this entire thing kind of a pain in the ass? Harumi wants me to explain the words she doesn't understand. I guess the meaning behind them too. And I have a feeling that Harumi will have a lot of questions.

I don't really want to waste time on something 'this' stupid, but it feels like she won't let me get away otherwise.

Words, words huh. ...Wait I think there's a good and simple way of getting rid of Harumi for some time. Maybe even forever.

Plus, I need to get out of here before Munataka-sensei finds me.

"Follow me and quickly." I say and I start running into the hallway.

I can hear another pair of feet running after me.

But man, talking with her is a stiff experience. The way she talks is just inhuman. Her strength is inhuman. But the way she looks is very innocent, completely hiding what she is.

Well even if she was more human in her behavior, speech, movement, strength...

…Or just human in general, I doubt we'd be able to get along.

///

The library in the main school building was small. It was about twenty bookshelf's in total, filled with books that cover basic subjects that are taught in all schools. It was empty at the moment, the only person here is usually a student on library duty, but it's still lesson time. I move to one of the shelves and start to search for a suitable distraction.

There are four huge libraries on campus, so big in fact that even Nagasaki Imperial University students come to Hashima on the weekend. Even the students of this Academy spend a lot of time in the libraries. Mostly due to the serious competition of getting into a university. With the birth rate in Japan being high, there's just not enough room for everyone to attend institutions of higher education.

But of course, they need to survive their 3 years of mandatory service before that.

Finding the thing that I need, I move away from the bookshelf.

"Ok here is the-"

As I turn myself around without really paying attention to my surroundings, I bump into Harumi again.

And again, she does not react. Harumi's face doesn't change expression and her body doesn't even budge.

"What the hell are you made of?"

"I do not understand your question."

I wish you used a more convincing tone because it feels like you're doing this on purpose.

Well whatever, not like I care anyway. You'll be too busy to bother me soon enough.

"Here." I hand over the huge dictionary I picked off the shelves. The biggest one I could find in this small library.

"What is this?"

Her reaction was flat as always. But I could tell she genuinely doesn't understand what I gave her.

"A dictionary. This one has over ten thousand words in it, with the definitions explaining what they mean. I want you to memorize every single word written in this book. If you cannot, explaining anything to you is an impossible task."

Well, that is just a half-truth. If I'd really want to help her, a different approach would work better. But, I just need to keep her busy with something, something that sounds convincing. Just in case.

"Is that an order?" Is she being skeptical? Why is she asking for order? From me of all people.

No that doesn't matter. Her way of thinking is way beyond my understanding.

"No, it's not an order. If you can't even understand words like kill or want, how can there be some sort of understanding between us? Get it?"

"Negative."

You…

"Fine, it's an order then. Just memorize the damn book."

This whole thing is making me very irritated.

"Understood." And that seems all that Harumi needs to change her mind. She's either very gullible or just stupid.

With that, she turns on her heels and takes her to leave. For a while I watch her moving through the hallway until Harumi is out of sight. Then I turned my attention to the window. And watch as Harumi makes her way through the campus.

The big blob of people was still there, but a big moving circle is present in it. Harumi is walking alone with the dictionary in her hands. With the huge number of students keeping a distance away from her in an organized fashion.

They seem to keep at least ten meters away from her. Making it very obvious that they don't want to stay anywhere near Harumi.

If this was a normal situation, I'd think that she's being shunned for no reason.

But I know this is not the case, Harumi's abilities are far too ridiculous to even categorize. Most people for rational reasons are keeping a distance from her. Whether or not I'm actually afraid of her still confuses me. The only thing I'm certain of is that she's kind of annoying.

But man, she's not going to even question me telling her to memorize the entire dictionary? Well, then it makes this whole 'keeping her distracted' thing easier.

Is Harumi really going to try to memorize the whole thing? If that's the case how long will it take?

Well at the very least it's going to take her until the end of the school year to memorize all of the content. I don't have the best of memories, but I can tell most people won't have an easy time committing that entire thing to memory. Well looks like she's going to stop bugging me for a while, trying to remember that huge dictionary.

Speaking of remembering it feels like I am forgetting something. Again.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Probably nothing important.

By the way, does Harumi even know what my name is? I hope her finding out that I'm a Suzuki too won't kill me.

Well, there's a lot of Suzuki's around, so who cares.