Chapter 1: Meeting Him

Eight Years Later

‏‎‎"My name is Yuriko Romanov." She said. "I like to read. It is nice to meet you."

‏‎‎The Japanese teenager gave a slight and quick bow to the classroom, the room dark and distorted in her grey eyes despite the fact it was filled with light from the windows. The faces of the people in the room were but swirls of black in her memory as she failed to remember what they looked like. She knew that they would not bother with remembering hers, anyway.

‏‎‎Yuriko, without so much as a second thought, turned and started down the right side of the room between the aisles of desks. Her gaze was set forward on the only empty seat in the second row, right by the window. She was pleased she had a seat next to a view, but showed no sign of that in her walk, neither displaying a smile nor frown after her short lived speech.

‏‎‎"Eh, Romanov..." The male teacher called after her, sighing a little bit, his thoughts invading hers. Man, this one's going to be trouble.

‏‎‎She didn't falter in her step as she spoke back to him. "I will not be any trouble," Her voice was monotone. "I do not want to share anything else."

Yuriko could tell he was confused, but she continued past the rows of desks before reaching the second to last. She said nothing else, not daring to look at the other students as her gaze settled on the desk she sat down at. Hanging her satchel on the hook that was attached to the side, she sat up straight, staring off at nothing as she waited.

‏‎‎What was that?

‏‎‎Man, what a freak.

‏‎‎Glad I'm not sitting by her.

‏‎‎She sighed a little as the thoughts invaded. If only they could shut up, She thought to herself.

‏‎‎The teacher, after reorganising himself, began to take attendance of the class. Yuriko didn't pay attention to the names that were called out or to the students who raised their hands and responded to them fluently. She knew the teacher wouldn't bother with saying hers, anyway, so she turned her attention to something else – her uniform.

It was not much different from Yuriko's old school's uniform. The one she wore simply consisted of a black plaid skirt, a dark blue blazer, white button-up shirt, a loose black bow around her collar, and dark leather shoes that buckled over her ivory knee-high socks. Since it was the colder months, she was allowed to keep her jacket on in the building.

‏‎‎"Jayce Miller?"

‏‎‎The name caught her attention. It wasn't some Japanese girl's name that meant flower, or a boy's name that stood for strong. No, that one was of English origin. She was always a sucker for names and their meanings, so she understood it to mean healer, or the Lord is salvation if one tried to stick it into its religious teachings.

‏‎‎"Here," They said, thoughts accompanying the voice. Even though I don't want to be.

‏‎‎It was a male voice to her right who called out in English, which made Yuriko twitch slightly as she raised her head. The thought that had accompanied it was also in English, the accent a mix of American and a hint of Japanese. She tucked her hair behind her right ear and looked out of the corner of her eye at him. He was right next to her.

‏‎‎Seeing him, it was odd – a boy in the school uniform, slouched back in his chair and chewing on his right hand's fingernails. His blue eyes stared forward, his hair dark enough to be of Japanese origin, and his skin was so pale it practically shimmered in the sunlight. However, it was obvious that he wasn't Japanese; perhaps he had some parentage of it, but he held the hooded eyes and diamond face of a Caucasian.

‏‎‎His clothing was anything but what was allowed. Yes, he had the uniform, but there were small problems. The dark blue jacket was undone, the collar up, the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His black tie was loose, the white shirt's throat left open and the sleeves of that also being rolled up. The only article of clothing he had that wasn't standard issue was a pair of dark leather gloves. The hand where he was chewing on his fingernails had the glove off, but he was holding it in his other grasp.

Yet, that was not the strangest part. That happened to be his thoughts. I wonder what would happen if unicorns existed? Would people care? What if they just randomly appeared? Everyone would want their horns… they'd probably go extinct like rhinos. Are rhinos extinct? I can't remember.

Yuriko turned her attention forward again, watching as the teacher ended role call. She tried to focus on anything other than what the kid beside her was thinking – the last thing she needed was to be seated by some ADHD individual. All his thoughts were a mix of Japanese and English anyway, so it was hard to understand what that guy meant. Jayce Miller was his name, she reminded herself. Though, she didn't know why she recalled it – any other name she would have pushed out of her mind immediately.

‏‎‎Forget it, She told herself. Forget you even have him next to you.

(¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.-> 🖋 <-.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯)

‏‎‎When the bell rang for lunch, the room erupted into chatter that made Yuriko wince slightly. It was hard enough to have them in her head, she had to hear them as well. Picking up her satchel and moving to slide out of her uncomfortable seat, she was about to stand when she glanced up to notice something rather odd.

‏‎‎A group of boys, all Japanese and poorly dressed, were standing at the door. One of them had a shaved head with stubble – he was at the front – while the rest had longer hair that hung over their brown eyes. All of them were a bit older, and they were waiting for something. For a moment she thought they were staring at her, but then her grey eyes travelled to Jayce as he stood up.

‏‎‎Do I have to go with them again?

‏‎‎He shoved his thumbs in his pockets, a smile spreading across his face that Yuriko could tell was fake from his previous thoughts. None of the boys returned the gesture as he made his way over to them. He even tried to raise a hand to give one of them a high five, but they simply turned around and started walking down the hallway.

‏‎‎Fine, just leave me hanging. Bunch of assholes.

Then he followed them, pulling on his other glove and rolling down his sleeves as he did so. Yuriko watched all of it happen with a curious look, though she didn't find herself caring that much as she stood from her seat. She didn't wait for the others to vacate the class as she walked towards the door at the back of the room.

‏‎‎She glanced down each end of the hall, waiting then for everyone to turn corners and for their chatter to fade away. Then she moved down the corridor briskly, glancing in the rooms and making sure no one was following or watching. The first day of school was always the hardest – especially for a transfer. Everyone always wanted to talk to the new student. Well, she didn't reciprocate. However she froze at a corner, then backtracked so she was against a wall as two individuals walked out of a room.

‏‎‎"So Wakizashi saved my mom's life last night."

‏‎‎"Woah, really? How?"

‏‎‎"She was closing up the bank and a couple of robbers took her hostage. Wakizashi appeared at the scene and took care of them in seconds!"

‏‎‎"Damn, she's so cool! I wish she would save my life, if you know what I mean."

‏‎‎Their laughter disappeared into another room, but she stood there for a moment longer as she grit her teeth. Finally, she turned and walked up the steps of the staircase across the hall. She took them quickly but quietly, her hand hovering over the railing to make sure she didn't trip… just in case she had to catch herself in her rush.

‏‎‎Yuriko reached the door. It had a long bar across it that one could push on to enter, and that was exactly what she did. With a click and a shimmering line where it opened, she stepped out onto the dreary roof and took in the fresh air for a moment. Still holding the door open with her foot, she took a book from her bag and set it in the entryway, so that the door was still held ajar when it tried to close.

‏‎‎She looked out past the building as she walked forward, stopping short of the edge. She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment before she exhaled and opened them up to the world again. Behind her was the T-shaped building, and she was to the left of the T's top side. Beyond were apartments, homes, the court to her left, and the entrance to her right.

‏‎‎Another breath, the air warm and dewy, the clouds threatening to rain at any moment. Yuriko walked closer to the edge, peering over – there was no one below. Good, she thought, setting down her satchel on the brim of the building lip. I didn't want them to think something ridiculous, like perhaps I would jump.

‏‎‎She sat down, her legs dangling over the edge. She was completely fearless when it came to heights – a person like herself had hardly anything to be afraid of. Although, there was one thing that made her back grow into shivers, her spine crawl, and her stomach twist. However, as much as she tried to get over the fear of her own mind, there was nothing much she could do for it.

‏‎‎Yuriko opened her satchel, pulling out the blue bento box – her favourite colour. Setting it in her lap, her face remained calm and flat as she opened it despite the delicious feast that rested inside. It had three compartments split evenly to show each food style. She placed her hands together in front of her chest, whispering "Itadakimasu," before she reached down and picked up the chopsticks. They were her favourite periwinkle blue on black pair, put in there by her grandfather to cheer her up for the first day of school.

‏‎‎This is stupid.

‏‎‎She paused as the voice entered her mind, staring at her meal. Of course. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh as she heard the door behind her open. Footsteps and chatter entered her ears, and disappointment washed over her. For a little while, she had hoped to be alone, but that fantasy had been quickly ruined.

‏‎‎"We'll bring 'em up here- huh?" A confused tone was behind her as she heard the book she had placed fall, and then scrape along the cement as it was picked up. "What's this?"

‏‎‎"Hey, there's someone up here," Another said.

‏‎‎An upset groan followed and footsteps appro-ached. Yuriko brushed her hair behind her ear on the left side while placing the chopsticks in the bento box and picking up the lid. One of them called out to her – "Hey," they said – but she ignored them, closing the box quickly but calmly and placing it in her bag.

‏‎‎"What are you, deaf?" A different boy spoke now. "We'‏‎‎re talking to you, girl."

She still failed to answer, proceeding to clip her bag closed and climbing to her feet. Finally, she picked it up off the ground and turned to face those who so rudely interrupted her peaceful lunch. She kept her expression devoid of any emotion, her eyes empty and her entire demeanour tranquil – even when she realised she found them familiar.

‏‎‎Those before her she recognised as the boys from earlier. The ones waiting at the door for the kid named Jayce. Speaking of him, he was standing behind the four individuals, his eyebrows narrowed at her as if struggling to remember who exactly she was. Despite her best efforts, though, she had no problem figuring out who he happened to be.

‏‎‎"Well?" The shaved one spoke, looking at her with confusion, curiosity, and annoyance. "What're you doin' up here, huh?"

She remained silent, scanning him over. He was tall – taller than her 150-centimetre (or 4'9") height. Not to mention he was big, as if he worked out. More built than her small figure. Yuriko said nothing as she looked past him, towards the door, noticing that the book was gone. Remembering the sound of it being picked up, she looked back at the boy's hands and saw the textbook was held by the partially shaved one.

‏‎‎"Are you gonna answer me?" The male said impatiently. "You mute or something?"

‏‎‎Yuriko put her hand out, palm facing the sky and fingers spread. "May I have my textbook?"

‏‎‎"Eh?" He looked down at the book, then waved it in the air. "This?"

‏‎‎"Yes," She confirmed, her eyes expectant.

‏‎‎"Not until you answer me," He responded, still holding the book high. "Why're you up here?"

‏‎‎"To eat," Yuriko said. "May I have my textbook?"

‏‎‎"To eat?" He still didn't budge. "Why alone? Don't you have any friends?"

‏‎‎"No," She said carelessly. "May I have my textbook?"

‏‎‎"Well, do you want some, cutie?" He took a step forward, lowering the book as his hand came to rest on her shoulder.

‏‎‎"Please take your hand off my shoulder," Yuriko said softly – but more menacingly rather than passively.

The grip tightened. She glanced at it, then matched his gaze with her own. He smiled – a crooked, nasty grin that spoke more than she needed to hear from his plagued mind. She clenched her teeth silently, looking over his shoulder at the other three individuals and Jayce at the door.

‏‎‎This seems like an emergency to me, She thought to herself.

‏‎‎Within the blink of an eye, Yuriko brought up her hand and gripped his wrist, pressing his pressure point with her thumb and twisting his arm down. He winced, crying out as he was suddenly on one knee, dropping the textbook to reach up and grab at her. She didn't give him the time to do anything more, her knee coming up and slamming right into his ear. He fell to the side grasping at his jaw as he cursed, and she let go of him.

‏‎‎What the fuck?

Who is this crazy bitch?

‏‎‎I'm gonna kill her.

‏‎‎Yuriko's eyes shot towards the one who thought the last words, her expression blank as he approached her quickly. He yelled as he tried to punch her, but she ducked out of the way and stood up again as his arm passed harmlessly over her head, bringing her elbow up behind him. She slammed it into the middle of his shoulder blades, making him wince and stumble.

‏‎‎Then she whirled around, just as he did, and blocked his second hit with her arm pushing his own aside. Her open palm came up, the rim of her hand slamming against his chin. As he tripped backwards, he almost fell over the edge of the building, but she reached out and grabbed his tie. She pulled him back onto the roof and he fell on his face, barely catching himself enough to avoid a broken nose.

‏‎‎That's the new girl from my class, isn't it?

Yuriko turned around again as she heard the new thought. Her eyes darted to Jayce, a look of recognition crossing his face as he leaned on the doorframe, hands in his pockets. Walking forward, she picked up the textbook and shoved it into her satchel. She had gone throughout the entire fight with one hand and little use from her other elbow. Her eyes watched the other two for a moment, her fingers twitching as she dared them to come forward, but she knew that they wouldn't.

‏‎‎I'm not getting involved.

‏‎‎Fuck that.

‏‎‎She turned her gaze upon the door, strutting forward with her head held high. Hearing the two behind her beginning to regain their bearings, she was not about to stick around long enough for them to get up and return to the fight. As she passed by Jayce though, his eyes followed her, and she couldn't help but notice his mind.

‏‎‎She'd be good for that.

‏‎‎"Hey."

Yuriko stopped at the sound of his voice, piercing her ears like needles. He said it in English, and she began to wonder if he even knew enough of Japanese to speak the language fluently. When she turned to look at him, there was a keen expression glimmering in his eyes and he pulled something out of his pocket. A folded piece of paper, which he held out to her. It was worn and dark around the creases from age and pocket flint. She glanced at it, and he continued speaking in Japanese.

‏‎‎"Join the book club," He said simply, as if it was something normal to say after what he had just witnessed.

‏‎‎"No, thank you," She stated bluntly, starting onward again.

‏‎‎"It's not what you think," He called to her. "It's… special." He said it in a strange manner that made her freeze. "For people like you and me."

She didn't move for a few moments. The thought of people like her and him. What in the world was he referring to? She turned around, locking eyes with him. His gaze was hopeful and she knew what was inside his head. What he was thinking, on the other hand, made her grit her teeth. It was something she had never heard before.

‏‎‎I know you can read my mind.