Chapter 4: Act!, while in delirium

I stretch in my chair and glance at my watch to see that it's already 1 pm. I also check the wall clock, and both show the same time.

I've finished a large part of my work, and it's time for lunch. Soon, the hordes of hungry students will advance, just eager to reach the cafeteria…

No one would want to be in their way, there have been casualties before... It's better to leave only when the stampede ends..

—...…—

I hear them running at full speed…

Anyone would think they sound like a herd of buffaloes on the savanna..

—Ahhhhhhh!!!...— Shouts one…

—.....—

What can I tell about this?..

—I think it's over..— I say, getting up from my seat..

Due to the rush, I didn't have time to prepare any food, so I guess I'll just go to a vending machine in the courtyard.

They not only have drinks but also chocolate, cookies, yes, more cookies, and the like. It's not the healthiest option, but it's better than not eating, an exception for a day.

Before leaving the classroom, I grab my wallet.

First, I'll go look for Henrietta, she should still be in her classroom, which unlike mine is closer.

Upon arrival, Henrietta is erasing the blackboard, now that I think about it, I didn't erase mine.

—IA!, ready for lunch?.—

Henrietta is glad to see me, as usual, I feel the same.

—Completely.—

We hug each other.

All the students must be outside or in the cafeteria. There's also a kiosk inside, but there's usually more people, and you have to wait longer, so I prefer the vending machines for these few occasions when I haven't cooked.

—What will you have today?.— Henrietta asks with a smile.

I show her my wallet and shake it a bit so the coins make noise.

—Guess.— I say.

—Since when do you eat coins?, besides, they sure hurt.— Henrietta says.

—Haha, close, but no. And they wouldn't just hurt, they surely taste terrible.—

I walk with Henrietta down the hallway, side by side.

—I saw they brought new options, but I think the drinks are the same. The only advantage is that there usually isn't anyone..— Henrietta says.

—IA?.—

I stopped while Henrietta was speaking, I don't know why, I shouldn't, nor do I consider it important.

—Henrietta, go ahead, I'll be there in a moment.—

—Mmmh, fine, I'll wait for you there.—

There's no reason, I didn't think about it, it just happened suddenly.

I turned around and headed back to my classroom. The doors are closed, which is unusual, as I passed by other classrooms, they were all open.

I put my hand on the door and slide it aside carefully, feeling like I shouldn't make any noise.

The silence has become almost absolute, the atmosphere has changed, and I can't hear the students' voices, nor the distant steps of Henrietta.

The door slides aside gently, the wind moves the dark blue curtains of the window, a very dark and uncommon blue.

It's lunchtime, there shouldn't be anyone, but there he is, alone, in an empty room, seeming like a part of it. The feeling of loneliness I feel is greater seeing him there than if he weren't.

I stand in the doorway, as if I couldn't move, just standing there, looking at him.

His eyes meet mine, but he doesn't say anything.

I must do something…

I walk to my desk, even though I haven't forgotten anything, I must look a bit silly.

I look at the blackboard, my name is written on it, but I didn't do it.

I turn to look at him, and he's still sitting in his place, his eyes now looking at the desk, arranging pencils vertically as if it were some game to pass the time.

—You're not going out for lunch either?.—

I think unintentionally I made the atmosphere even weirder than it already was…

—I already had lunch.—

His voice, why do I feel like his voice is so deep?, someone so calm can fill the whole classroom with his words.

I try not to walk directly towards him, I move by passing on the opposite side, finding myself near the windows. The light is off, but my figure is clearly visible because of the intensity of the sun.

—This place is quieter, no one stays in the classroom, there's silence, and even better, there's no one else.— He says.

I wonder if that's an indirect way of telling me that I'm bothering him?..

—I came back from my vacation recently... yesterday. I didn't have the opportunity to cook and bring something. I was about to go to the vending machines in the courtyard, but for some reason, I came back here, strange, right?.—

I walk slowly towards him, looking at the blackboard. Having the perspective of a student and not that of a teacher from this place is interesting, it looks like a completely different classroom.

—Did you write it?.— I ask.

—It's a nice name.— He says.

He made me smile..

—Surely you would just call me "IA, IA, IA", hahah.—

…... When I turn to look at him, I realize he has stood up in front of me. I'm a tall girl, so our gaze is at the same level.

—….Yes?.— I ask, he's too close to me, but it's not something that surprises me.

Why does it feel familiar?.

—Your eyes.— He says.

—What's the story behind my eyes?.—

To be honest, his eyes are more unusual than mine..

—They're like the sea.— He says.

He must be about 20 centimeters from my face, maybe a little less, but my naturalness is visible.

—Is that how you charm girls?, haha.—

—I've never had a girlfriend.—

—I've never had a boyfriend... Have you never been to the sea?.—

—No, but looking at you, I have. What intrigues you, IA?.—

He did it on purpose, getting so close to me just to test my reaction, he realized that I came to see him, and he's studying me. It doesn't seem like it, but he's reading every expression I make.

—I'm just a curious lady who can't help but not let an unusual situation pass me by.—

—Is that all?.— He asks.

—That's all.—

—Mmmh...do you know what is the difference between knowledge and ignorance?, one pushes you to destroy, the other lets itself be used for destruction.— He expresses, and calmly returns to his seat.

—Animals, remain animals, toys of someone who sold his soul... And, do you remember what I told you, right?.— I ask.

—Yes, if I need anything, I'll talk to you, IA.—

—Good boy, see you tomorrow.— I pat his head once, shyly..

..I leave the classroom, closing the door quietly, he'll surely appreciate it.

..I lean my forehead against the door... why do I feel like this?, sad?…

Why is he so transparent?, why do I feel like screaming?..

Forget it, IA.

I tell myself.

Forget it..

"Ha ha ha."

She brings her hand to my periphery and I can see what she is saying with obvious sarcasm...

—What are you doing here, Mikuni?...were you spying?!.— I ask in sign language.

Mikuni approaches, kisses my cheek, and takes my hand to lead me down the hallway..

"Spying on what?.."

—No, nothing..—

"Ha ha ha." She says sarcastically again..

—Heeey, stop it..— I feel embarrassed for some reason... I can feel a slight blush on my nose…

She is mute so we communicate by sign language, which I learned when I started at this school. When she speaks she doesn't omit a single sound, she just smiles or nods her head.

"Kyaaa..prince, keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings.." Mikuni says exaggeratedly..

—I don't know what you're talking about.— I say, even though I know the origin of that phrase.

"Hahah, what was that inside there?, you looked so calm, but you seemed like a schoolgirl at school's sunset in the arms of her dreamy guy."

—If you put it that way, it sounds bad. It's my duty to help my students, that's all..—

Mikuni is easy to recognize by her two long light blue pigtails, each at the ends of her head.

She works in the cafeteria preparing the food sold at school. And yes, she likes to tease me by changing the facts of the story to make me uncomfortable, just as she just did..

"If everything was so normal, why were you as red as a tomato?." She asks, moving her hands quickly, she has great control obviously.

—At no point did I blush, besides, it's lunchtime, don't you have to attend to the cafeteria horde?..—

"True, but since you were on vacation, I assumed you hadn't prepared your lunch and wondered why you weren't there, so I made it for you....eh?."

Mikuni looks at her hands... I think she made my lunch, but she forgot to bring it...haha...

"As I was saying, long time no see." She tries to change the subject to avoid saying she forgot what she came to do..

"Oh, right, IA, I'm about to open a coffee shop outside the school. I made the plans this summer, it will be called -Coffee shop-."

Mikuni takes a brochure from her apron and hands it to me.

"I've posted several of these around town, and I also distribute them in the afternoon, a few hours after school."

—Hahah, very original name, almost unique.— I say with my hands, reading what's written.

It has simple drawings of a girl with pink hair and another girl with long light blue pigtails, which is clearly her.

—I'll go to the opening, and I'll also bring Henrietta, Asuka, Kaoru, and Nikki. And don't worry about the food, I'll use the vending machines, the cafeteria should be full of people. Henrietta is waiting for me there.—

"You are right, I should go back, but I should also say that you are running away from the crime scene, hahah, he is your student..how shameless."

—Once again changing the story to make me look bad..—

We kiss our cheeks to say goodbye and I leave through the main door that leads to the courtyard. I would have preferred to talk more with her since I haven't seen her in a while, but with what just happened, she'd be teasing me all day... I know her...

I can see Henrietta sitting on the wooden benches in front of the building, her legs are together, to one side, she has a pink tablecloth over her legs, and her lunch on her lap.

—That looks very good, how did you find the time to cook?.—

—Don't underestimate Asuka's right hand power, my dear IA.—

Henrietta is always proud of her cooking, she's right, I've never tasted anything better. I'll set aside the vending machines and try to delve into her culinary skill...

—Henrietta!, I'll kiss you if you give me something to eat!.—

—…..You're such a pervert..— Henrietta says indifferently..

—If you don't give me something, I'll do it!, it's your only option.— I take her cheeks in my hands drawing closer to her face, she doesn't even flinch.

—..Fine, but let go of me..—

—I knew my advanced psychological skills would work.— I say.

—Sure, sure..— Henrietta says.

She takes out a container and hands me a fork, I put it aside and we take each other's hands, closing our eyes.

—Lord, we thank you for the food we are about to receive. Bless this food and those who prepared it. May this food nourish our bodies and give us strength to serve you.— We say in unison.

—As delicious as always.— I compliment her food, taking bit.

I never understood how she achieves this flavor. I've seen her cook, we've done it together, and in the same way, but the result is that her food always tastes better...

This time, she prepared a salad with pasta, there are tomatoes, peppers, salami, mozzarella cheese, and other ingredients... exquisite...

—You were only supposed to have a little, and you've almost eaten the whole plate..— Henrietta says.

—Don't exaggerate.— I say.

—You should be arrested, IA, if I were a cop, I'd put you in jail, you've almost eaten everything, you're like a potential criminal.—

—You're almost a terrorist, Henrietta, they wouldn't have accepted you.—

—Ah!..my heart!.. that's cruel IA!..— Henrietta says with great acting...

—Hahah.— I laugh softly, eating with her.

***

We have fun together until lunchtime ends, she had no problem sharing what she prepared, which mysteriously was a very large portion for just one lady, maybe she had planned it. Henrietta never leaves anything to chance, never.

—...…— We see the principal walking briskly to the center of the courtyard…

He slipped…

..Well, he's standing up now, he looks to see if anyone saw him fall....

And now he's doing his great performance...

..Hahah..

—Ahhh, that again, is it time to go back?.— Henrietta says.

—What class do you have now?.— I ask, kissing her cheek as thanks for the food.

—Oh, it's the new students, first years, all so tiny they'd make anyone feel tender.—

We stand up together, she puts away her utensils, and we head towards the building.

—Since when do you talk like that?.— I ask. She has never said anything in that way about her students.

—I guess that's what a normal teacher would say. It's their first year, I hope they won't be a nuisance.—

Ah, there's the real Henrietta with her expression of hatred...

—...When you talk to them, better use the words of the model teacher, do it for the school.— I say..

—Don't ask for the impossible, IA.—

—Do you have something to do after school?.— I ask.

—I have something planned, but it's a secret..—

—..Something illegal, I suppose.— I say.

—Why would you say that?, I'm a good girl with my own kind!.— Henrietta says, frowning..

—Mmmmh…— I express.

—Your lack of trust surprises me. Do you have plans?.— She asks, we're both just joking..

—Just some shopping... yesterday I bought food for 2 or 3 days, due to lack of time, today I want to buy more.—

—Maybe our paths will cross, IA... see you later.— She says suspiciously, giving me a kiss on the cheek..

Obviously, she's planning something, and being Henrietta, it's not something good for me..

—Mmmh, see you in the afternoon..—

We say goodbye in the teachers' lounge, there's no one else but me.

—Damn Henrietta...even if it was a joke, now it'll be hard for me to stop thinking about what she's planning.—

It wouldn't be a surprise if from the first day, she's ready to start with her games... It's not that I don't enjoy it, I'm part of it too. But it's the first day, she should be as tired as I am, we haven't slept well, and she seems to have the energy to play one of her jokes on me..

Maybe I just need to be alert, and that'll be enough. I have work to do, not much, but I'll do it slowly until the afternoon, and hopefully she won't catch me off guard..

I gather all the necessary papers and start working..

***

—The schedules must match the curriculum... This was already seen last year... this isn't necessary..—

Even though I'm tired, the hours pass faster than I thought, maybe because of the energy of starting today, just a little more... I yawn over my desk..

***

—Sshhhh!.— I enter the teachers' lounge silently, carefully, and warning my colleagues. I even convinced the principal not to play the trumpet... I told him that students from the rival school had been sighted, and he ran off to look for them…

Just as I had predicted, IA is sleeping... ha ha ha.

I mixed last year's papers with this year's so she would have more to do, sooner or later, she would fall asleep...

Let's see, a marker... a marker…

I take a black marker and...

—Done... Good night, my dear IA.—

—Quickly, grab your things and let's leave before she wakes up..— I tell my colleagues..

***

—Mmmh..— I wake up drowsy… I fell asleep on my desk, my arms hurt a bit… I must have spent the whole afternoon on them, but I don't know why they hurt as if my head were made of metal.

There's no one around, and only the light from my desk is on, darkness is pushed in from the windows.

—Is it night already?, mmmh... it always gets dark so quickly in this country, even though it's summer.—

I get up, gathering my belongings, I should leave now.

—Where I come from, sunset at this time of year happens at 9 pm..—

I talk to myself, putting my chair back in its place.

Again, I look around, more to try to perceive any sound than to see something. There's silence throughout the school..

—Yes, there shouldn't be anyone.—

I take my briefcase, turn off the light on my desk, and in the dark, I walk towards the door.

It's clear, so the moonlight dimly illuminates the place.

I'm glad it's not a horror movie…

I open the door and close it slowly. Looking along the hallway, it's a bit scary... At this moment, the school feels enormous..

—Echoo.— I say, softly raising my voice, maybe I'll hear it again.

—Echooo.—

—There it is.—

I don't understand why no one woke me up. I search for my phone in my briefcase, a black cell phone with a small screen, small keys, and its characteristic green light.

I have a message from Henrietta; "You looked so cute sleeping that we decided not to make any noise and not wake you up, you must be tired from the trip and the nerves of the first day, we'll see each other tomorrow… Sorry about the joke"

—Joke?.—

I check my body to see if there's anything strange…

..No, everything looks normal..

—What is she supposed to have done to me?..—

I continue down the hallway. In some places the curtains are closed, so the only source of light is the signs indicating the direction of exit.

I don't have a flashlight with me, but this is more interesting, not every day you find yourself in the dark in such a large place surrounded by such silence..

All I can hear are my own footsteps, and occasionally some noise from the building or the wind..

As I walk through the glass entrance, I look at the clear sky, the big moon, the sound of owls, there are many animals in this place.

My shoes make some noise on the small stones on the way to the parking lot.

—Is it closed?.—

I try to open the door of my car but it's locked, and I always leave it open..

—Where is my key?.—

I search in my briefcase, but it's not there.. in my pockets I only have my house key..

—Don't tell me it's in the teachers' lounge..—

I glance at the completely dark school, no lights visible from the outside, and I'm supposed to go back?…

—Ahhh… I just hope it's on my desk and I haven't seen it!.—

Quickly, I return, turn on the main light of the room, and walk to my place.

..It's not here... not in the drawers either..

I pour out the contents of my briefcase, I want to assume I didn't see it..

..And it doesn't show up..

My key should not be somewhere else, it should still be here.

—"Silly"...—

—...…—

…....By any chance... as I glance at the mirror on my desk, I see that "someone" wrote with a black marker "Silly" on my forehead..

—How funny, I guess this is what she meant by the joke.. I just hope she didn't use a permanent marker..—

—I was supposed to do the shopping after school, and now I have to go to the supermarket with this on my forehead?.—

I turn off the light and head back to the hallway, walking towards the bathrooms..

Locked...

—...Don't tell me.. you also locked the bathroom doors..—

I could open them with one blow, but I don't want to damage school property.

All the doors are closed, well played Henrietta, you took my car key, and now I have to come out with this message..

If I tried to clean myself in one of the drinkers outside, assuming she didn't turn off the water, I would only end up getting completely dirty and I would look worse.

This is what she meant by "maybe our paths will cross.."...

Reluctantly, I leave the school, I'll have to walk.

The town doesn't have taxis, so I have no choice...

The only positive sides are that it's not cold and I won't have to deal with the reckless cats lurking around the cars on these streets..