Dropped Pencil

Before I could ask Monika what she meant, the school bell rang.

Monika closed my philosophy textbook and handed it to me, like a sweetheart.

"Seems like that's all the time we have for now. Next time we can work out a date so that I can teach you outside of philosophy class."

I received the philosophy textbook with shaking hands.

"E-Eh? You will teach me outside of class?"

The class president was willing to set aside time in her busy schedule to accompany me?

That sounded too good to be true!

Monika smiled gently.

"Just tell me when you're free. Don't be afraid to ask me."

...Well of course I'll be afraid to ask you!

Instead of saying the words in my mind, I pressed the tips of my index fingers together.

"Ehehe... ok!"

Monika pulled back the desk, putting it back in its proper place, and headed out. When she reached the door, she peeked over her shoulder and waved her hand.

"See you soon, Sayori!"

Monika began leaving the classroom before I had time to think out my response. In an anxious fluster, I blurted out the words to respond in time.

"S-see y-you you!"

Uwah! Why couldn't I just say 'see you soon'!

Monika didn't seem to be bothered by me tripping over my words. She flashed a beautiful smile that made me feel like I was in a garden of flowers.

Then she left, abruptly snapping me out of my trance.

I rubbed my cheeks with the palms of my hands.

...Don't get your hopes up Sayori! She's the class president, after all! Someone way out of your league!

"Um... you should hurry on to your next class. You're going to be late."

The teacher looked at me awkwardly. I was the only one left in the classroom.

I jumped up out of my seat.

"Ah, sorry!"

With jumbled thoughts, I hurriedly walked out of the classroom.

The hallways were fairly crowded, but easy to walk through. Most people were hurrying along to their next class, perhaps giving the occasional greeting to someone that they passed.

"Sayori!"

I turned my head to the side to see Natsuki. She had a flustered expression on her face as she jogged over to me.

A bright smile appeared on my face.

"Natsuki! Are you ok?"

Natsuki puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms.

"Of course I'm ok."

She cleared her throat sheepishly.

"...what about you?"

I giggled.

"As great as ever!"

Natsuki broke eye contact.

"That's good."

She sighed.

"Well... we should go to our classes now."

I gave a cheery nod.

"Yes! Bye, Natsuki!"

I waved enthusiastically.

Natsuki responded with a reluctant wave.

"Bye, Sayori..."

With that, the two of us parted, off to our separate classes. This encounter was nothing new to us as it happens frequently.

Though, I always found it a little strange. From what I remember, our pathways shouldn't intersect as we move to our new class. Natsuki must be taking some convoluted route.

Or I'm just being an airhead again.

I set foot in the classroom. This period was supposed to be english.

I wanted to claim a seat at the front, but they were all taken. A small pout formed on my face.

"Hmm..."

I scanned the rest of the classroom, only to find a single seat open. It was the one next to the very back corner, close to the window.

I walked over while telling myself to come to class earlier next time. English was supposed to be a pretty important class for us, so it made sense the seats at the front would be filled up quickly.

With a small sigh, I sat down at the back and laid a pencil on my desk. To my left was a girl sitting next to the window with her face buried in a book.

Despite being slightly hunched over, she was noticeably taller than most. She had long straight purple hair that extended just past her waist. There were two long strands of hair next to her bangs, reaching just below her chest.

She had light purple eyes that shone brightly, like stars in the night sky. She wore an intense gaze, seemingly completely lost in her book.

Her skin appeared delicate and smooth. Despite having low cheekbones like mine, they made her look humble, yet sophisticated. It made me a tiny bit jealous, hehe.

Though I didn't want to interrupt her while she was so concentrated, the teacher had already begun lecturing.

I whispered to her.

"Hey! The lesson started!"

The girl didn't react like I never said anything in the first place.

A bitter smile emerged on my face. Hopefully, this wasn't taking it too far...

I reached over and tapped on the girl's shoulder with my finger. My heart couldn't help but clench, despite the minimal contact. I only felt her skin through her clothes... but it felt so silky nonetheless.

...What would it feel like without the clothes?

I shook my head, getting rid of those thoughts. It was only now I realized the girl was still focusing on her book.

I began to hesitate.

Was I being a busybody?

"Ehehe..."

I decided to just mind my own business. I reached for a textbook in my backpack, but my arm hit the side of the desk with a small bang.

"Ow! ...Why am I so clumsy?"

The pencil rolled off my desk towards the girl. After lightly blowing on my arm, I reached for the pencil.

But before I could pick it up, a set of long slender fingers gently wrapped around it. The girl with long purple hair had bent over to pick the pencil up.

She held out the pencil with her hand that was trembling ever so slightly. She turned her head away, but peeked at me with her eyes.

"I-Is this yours?"

My heart sped up.

How was she so... endearing?

I giggled softly.

"Yes! Thank you so much for helping me."

The girl interlocked her fingers and smiled softly.

"A-Ah!... Um, y-you're welcome."