Chapter 5:

Azur left shortly after too. He mentioned that he had a big load of work to do, so he didn't want to miss the deadlines. So much for having free time. But don't be mistaken, I never held grudges. Whilst I sat there in silence the inevitable struck me. I'd still need to clean the dishes, if I ever wanted to repeat this same cooking once again. Reluctantly, I stood up and lowered my hands into the sink. I let the water flow, until the sink was half-full. The dishes were then cleaned thoroughly. After the cleansing, I took my bags and also prepared to leave. But a paper grasped my attention. Or rather a full stack of them. They laid scattered on a desk nearby, where the two girls sat. Rather weird to leave a stack of papers behind. My hands traced on the smooth surface of the papers, turning one after another. Those were some receipts, something about payout. Looks like a salary documentation at a part-time job? Could be it. Although it is disappointing that they'd leave behind something of this importance at their desk. It's a lot of money on the desk, it reads that it sums up for this month at 1200 american dollars. So many things could be bought with that money… But eh, whatever. 

I took the receipts and piled them up in my bag. It's the last thing that is supposed to stay in a place like this. If i have the chance, I'll give them back, if not I'm gonna throw them away. Then I made my way to the school plaza. The stalls were already empty, and it seemed almost that the event had finished. Surprisingly enough, there were two stalls in our class section. In one stood the class and in the other one was run by Elisea and Shena - even though they were in the cafeteria an hour ago. This wasn't something I had expected, but not an idea that I dejected. It was fascinating, seeing two individuals splitting off from the main group. Such an interesting biological example of disagreement: A group splits into many because of different beliefs, but does only so if they're thriving. Now I yearned only for one answer: What was the cause of this disagreement? Was it that those two were opposed to the truth that they weren't included in the planning of the event? No, that's what they've told me in the cafeteria, and that was nothing more than a lie. That was definitely not the main cause for this. If that was the case, they would have either argued with them or just followed their decision, albeit in bitter taste. No, that wasn't it. They were trying to keep their distance from the crowd… Two of the most well-renowned faces of our class forcing themselves to keep their distance? That must have meant one of two things: Either they were deliberately pushing for a worse social standing, or they were forced to keep their distance from some oppressing matters that would also worsen their social standing. … The ladder seemed more probable, since girls like them would never give up their social standing. Probably all of the high schoolers would also follow the same trope, because they didn't know that there is something past high school. That's understandable considering that up until now they hadn't experienced anything else then school. When I stepped closer, I heard arguments. Valon was yelling at the two girls, but the words weren't that clear to hear from a distance. When the gap shrunk, I could now hear the singular words they were throwing at each other. It wasn't a pleasant conversation they were holding, the sound of it indicated it being more or less just accusations. Shena and Elisea sat there, clearly ashamed, and seemingly unable to really say anything. They just sat there mostly in silence, sometimes vehemently denying something. But Valon was relentless:

"What's up with this demonstration you two?? Just because you can't agree on something doesn't qualify just splitting apart! And where'd you get the money?"

"You can't force us to just comply without any complaints… And we worked hard for the money that we used to open this stand."

"Yeah sure. I saw you in that service café. Pleasing old men for some quick cash really IS working hard. They're hard when coming to the café for sure!"

"But we only work at the reception, we are not part of that specific crew, we have our values…"

"Isn't this money you had for the stall a bit too much to just be from a part time job?"

"Well, we get paid well since we're in that position for quite some time already…"

"Really? I don't believe that. What job could possibly be that well-paying? Definitely not the reception at a love café-hotel! Just admit that you're both rotten women."

Interesting, this conversation. But now I understand. Valon and the others are driven by jealousy. It seems that the girl's stall was more prepared than the main one and got the majority of all the attention. Hmm, so sad to see. Even though it was a group of twenty and more against two girls, they were beaten at a quasi competition. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Alone the thought of being so aggressive about such a thing is appalling to me. But whatever, al long as they wouldn't get me involved

"Hey, Kazumi!!"

For crying out loud.

"What is it, Valon?"

"Where did YOU disappear to, you jerk? We needed a helping hand, those two girls were hogging our profits."

"What was I even supposed to do? It was your plan with the stall, I had no say in it, and those two simply had a better plan. What is there to discuss?"

"The better idea? Dude, stop with the delusions! How could she possibly have enough money to make such a customized wood stall. And all the carvings and decorations, there is no way a part-time job salary could cover this! It's ridiculous!"

"What do you imply by that?"

"I mean, they couldn't have saved enough money to buy a fully customized stall of this size, with all the decorations and things on it! They must have committed shady business, hell maybe even sold themselves!"

I snickered a little at his statements. To call another delusional is one thing, but to claim something so absurd right after the first claim is just at another level. The very top of hypocrisy. But then I knelt down and traced my fingers along the carvings, and turned to Valon once again: "You know that this is freshly carved? I would say that about a week ago, which would mean that either the company produces them so effectively that they can make one almost at the deadline or it isn't made by a company, is it, Elisea?"

Elisea flinched and stepped back. She couldn't speak, so I continued:

"If you look closely, Valon, you can see the singular carves aren't perfect. Truthfully, most of them are not done according to market standards. That means one thing, which is that this hasn't been bought but made. Carved by hand, decorated by hand, constructed by hand."

"But… The materials must've also cost a lot of money, right? And such quality wood must cost a lot…!"

"Look again, what you presume as quality, is just a layer of lack, making it shine."

"..."

"I suppose that you wanted confirmation of their claims, right? Well, what I currently hold are documents from their workplace. A detailed description of their responsibilities and the pay. But look only if they allow you to."

"What-?"

Elisea shouted at me: "I was searching for that! Did I leave it accidentally in the cafeteria? In any case, thank you so much!"

I just walked by, wanting to go home. So out of politeness, when turning my head, the words came: "Be more mindful next time." And so, I left.

When I came back home, I sat down at the table once more. It has been a bit longer since I last wrote into it, but today it feels like something might be written onto the next page. And with gentle strikes, my pen finally touched the paper, forming a few words:

'Jealousy is a necessity. Envy is irreplaceable. For those who think that a world without envy would prosper more than one with it: It's not like that. It might be true that envy fuels the fires of hatred. Except that it also ignites the blaze of competitiveness. If no one would feel jealousy, then never would someone work on themselves… Because they wouldn't have a goal to strive for. However, everything has its own merits. If jealousy turns to sabotage and not improvement, then such jealousy only harms oneself. Nothing will be gained from it. Only lost. So, be jealous. Be jealous of something you couldn't do. But don't try to lower the one you're jealous of, because you yourself will sink even deeper.'