It Gets Unexpected, Instead

Is this her version of finding entertainment? Watching me fumble around like a clown at a circus? Grr… I swear, I just want to go home already.

This first day has been exhausting enough for my well-being. I'm starting to think that I might actually end up dead in this classroom, with the cause of death being: lost the will to think. Sure, the school's clean, and the facilities are top-notch, but the students? Way too much for me.

Is it too much to ask for the regular judgmental classmates who silently resent you across the room? That's all I want. Instead, I'm stuck with… this. Well, whatever. This is a "new experience", I guess.

You know, like stepping on a rake is a "new experience".

I turned around, trying to walk away with what was left of my sanity. I was so close to my chair, to the sweet solitude of the breeze, when I felt a firm grip around my wrist. Really? What now? Is she going to finish the job and murder me? Honestly, at this point, I'd welcome the sweet grim reaper without hesitation.

"Are you okay?" She asked. Her voice was surprisingly gentle, softer than Naokawa's, almost like a lullaby.

For a second, I felt something stir deep inside me, a long-forgotten feeling. Compassion? I sighed internally. It's way too overboard. But what is she? Some kind of twisted angel? Maybe a fallen one.

She's got the whole "weep silently but carry a big stick" vibe going on. But if violence is only her flaw… I could be into that.

"I'm not. I feel like my waist isn't the same anymore." I grumbled.

My sarcasm was thick enough to cut it through with a cutter, but before I could even smirk, she gave me a sharp jab to my waist. A test jab, like she was making sure I wasn't just being dramatic. Damn it! She saw right through my masked sarcasm! That actually hurt, yikes.

I winced, rubbing the sore spot where she'd jabbed me, "Alright, alright, sorry…" and managed a half-hearted apology.

"Hmph. Don't even think about trying any tricks on me again." She commanded. Her tone left no room for negotiation.

Sir, yes sir! Message received loud and clear. I'll be on my best behavior from now on. Who knew that behind that fierce glare was a girl who actually cared if I was okay? Just… in a very aggressive way, "I might punch you" kind of way.

She rubbed on the spot where she'd jabbed me, her touch surprisingly gentle, almost like she was apologizing in her own silent way. Her calm smile caught me off guard; I could see that she felt a little bad about the whole thing. Well, that's definitely to be expected after being crushed with a door.

But it was probably her instinct that led her to jab me like that. A reflex, like dribbling a ball, or shooting a basketball.

I couldn't really blame her for that. I smiled internally at this sight. It was the kind of thing you'd want to remember. Memories, huh? Funny thing, memories. I don't have many worth reminding over. I think it's because I either don't recall them or I've simply forgotten the times I actually had fun.

Hold on! If I let myself get too deep into this train of thought, I might actually get emotional in front of her! Buckle up, Kita. This isn't the time to show your weakness. Masculinity first, emotions later. That's the unspoken rule of being a guy!

"You know, I used to be in this room," She stated, snapping me back into reality. "Spending my time like you do now."

She did? Really? If I had to guess… she's probably one of those students who "fought" for her school. And I mean literally fought. Hands, feet, elbows, like she's been training for her whole life. She likely won medals too. The jab she gave me was already more than enough to be evidence in my hypothetical courtroom.

"Why?" I asked.

There are so many ways one could end up in this special classroom of freedom. Was it the same for her? The best way was to ask directly.

"I was competing with Nao. Do you know anything about her?"

Nao? The only "Nao" I could think of was Naokawa, the Ice Queen. But "Nao" was only part of her surname. I didn't know her first name, yet.