Chapter 8: 2.1

Peace is something everyone dreams of; we can all agree with that. Some of us just have various criteria when it comes to it.

I have multiple versions of that ideal peace. An example would most likely involve me sitting on a deserted yet hospitable island with maybe 4 or 5 saucy dames surrounding me.

One of them would feed me grapes while the other would rub my feet. The remainder of the pretty gals would maybe fan me or something. I haven’t planned out the details yet, but just know that the idea and vision are still there.

I was on my way to class, and it was more of a slow walk because I didn’t want to mix with the crowd; if I did so, I have a feeling I would potentially be spirited away to another classroom and never found again.

The first class of the day would be history, and my textbook was still in my locker, so a brief detour would have been required.

As usual, I’d walk past Tokinori while he was chatting it up with someone else in the hallway, and we’d exchange our usual brief greeting.

At my locker now, I opened it up, and out fell another note. This time, without the envelope, I picked up the sheet of paper from the ground and read it.

My apologies for not showing up, but Mashiro-san came back into the classroom.

We’ll be in touch very soon.

Instead of the pleasing handwriting from last time, this note was typed out.

Folding it up, I placed it into my pocket and redirected myself towards the classroom.

Upon reaching close to the classroom, there was a presence behind me who grabbed my arm. My gaze was drawn to Mashiro, who was interlocking our arms to the left of me.

With a fake smile on her face, she said, "Good morning, Yamaguri-kun."

This was her way of broadcasting our "relationship" to my annoyance, and obviously people fell for it, with a few of them turning their heads.

Tokinori shifted his head towards me and said, "Yamaguri-kun, and Mashiro-san?"

"Yes, Tokinori-san," she cheerfully replied.

"When did you two become a couple?"

"Just a few days ago, his proclamation wasn’t anything stupendous, but it certainly was something."

Mashiro didn’t let me say a word in the conversation, in fear that I’d inadvertently say something that undermined her sham. Luckily for her, I have no intention of doing that because that would be a slippery slope.

Tokinori smiled at me.

"That’s just so shocking, but I’m happy for you, Yamaguri-kun."

There’s no reason to be happy right now.

I flashed a phony smile and nodded my head. Still with our arms intertwined, Mashiro led me into the classroom, much to everyone’s surprise.

With this revelation, I was no longer under the radar.

The first person to speak would be Chisaki Okushika, the previously mentioned self-appointed class representative.

"Good morning, Mashiro-chan."

Yikes, not even a mention of me.

Mashiro crudely ignored Chisaki, taking her seat. It wasn’t completely unusual considering it’s been the same thing since the beginning of the semester.

I took my seat while feeling the stares of two people in particular, but I chose to ignore them for now.

"Are you contented right now, Mashiro?" I asked.

"It depends on your definition of contented."

"Well, a dictionary definition would be the feeling or satisfaction with one’s status, possessions, or situation. So are you?"

"Only by a very small margin; anyway, you’re just a deterrent, so there’s no need to continuously speak or even hang around me. I only wish to use your name and image, that's all."

A small sigh escaped my lips.

"Whatever floats your boat."

"Is that a smidge of attitude I hear in your tone of voice?"

"What gives you that minor notion?"

"I don’t like your demeanor, you know that?"

I placed my head on the desk and replied, "If that’s the case, then you’re very welcome to leave me in peace and deal with those issues by yourself."

Mashiro kissed her teeth then remarked, "If my school days can’t be how I desire them, then you’ll suffer the same fate as well."

Already knowing what she was alluding to, I automatically began to complain, "That’s a bit unfair, is it not?"

With her typical sharp tongue, she said, "If you were given an advantage over someone, would you not take it and use it to the fullest potential?"

"It just sounds like you silently revel in the thought of having control over someone else."

"Something like that would neither be denied nor confirmed."

I didn’t need her to shake or nod her head to that statement because I already had a fair idea of what the answer was.

Control and advantage weren’t foreign concepts to me at all, but for my duration here, I’d like to avoid situations pertaining to them.

Since there was still some time before homeroom, I decided to get something to drink from one of the many vending machines scattered about the school. From my knowledge, there should be one just a few feet from the year one classrooms.

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I rose, left the room, and closed the door behind me.

Soon after, it was reopened, but I chose not to turn around. There was no harm in not knowing who it was, but for the entire duration of the walk, I felt as if someone was slowly trailing behind me.

This was done as a way to confront the students who were previously staring at me, and the opening of the closed door was to alert me that they had taken the bait.

Still deciding not to turn around, I finally reached the machine and inserted the money, then selected my choice of drink.

Clank

The bottle of juice fell into the receiving tray before I grabbed it and cracked it open. As soon as my lips were about to touch the bottle, a voice said, "You."

I paused and sighed.

It was the two students who had been eagle-eyeing me since I came to class, their names being Takawana Ayumi and Matsukura Sai.

Takanawa Ayumi is an averagely built male with average looks. If you were to think of the ideal average person, he may come to mind.

Matsukura Sai, on the other hand, is someone I would consider the internet definition of a nerd. He even possesses the scrawny body and the glasses to boot.

"How may I assist you?" I asked while resealing the bottle.

"Are you dating Mashiro-san?" asked Matsukura, as he began to probe me.

This question was straight to the point, and I appreciated that.

"It’s a possibility."

Maybe if I were to be vague about the entire thing, they would get the memo and leave me be.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get the hint as Matsukura pressed onward.

"How did someone like you get a girlfriend?"

"Huh?"

"That was a little extreme, don't you think, Matsukura?" reprimanded Takanawa, who palmed himself.

"Fine, I’ll rephrase it. How did someone as quiet and as gloomy looking as you get a girlfriend?"

Those words surprisingly cut deep.

"I don’t believe I’m gloomy-looking."

Matsukura pushed his glasses upward and retorted, "The only two expressions that I’ve ever seen from you are somber and sometimes a scowl. You rarely even smile.”

Wait, was that true? I don't think so, because I've already smiled at least once and a half times this semester.

Deciding to be the translator for Matsukura's barrage, Takawana calmly said, "Matsukura just wants to know what your secret is."

"…Secret?"

"Yes, secret, how did you get a girlfriend, specifically Mashiro-san? Are you blackmailing her? Maybe she lost a bet and now has to date you!" exclaimed Matsukura, moving a bit closer to me.

I believe it’s more along the lines of her blackmailing me.

"Oh, well I can’t say…." I muttered.

Mostly because I didn’t have a proper answer that could satisfy his blatant curiosity.

Takawana shrugged and turned to face Matsukura, saying, "I told you there was no secret. This sort of thing happens from time to time."

Thank you for recognizing Takawana; you seem to be the brains of the friend group.

Folding his arms, Matsukura still didn’t believe me and was convinced that I held the ikeman equivalent of the Holy Grail when it came to women.

Letting out a sigh, I asked, "Why don’t you ask Tokinori instead of bothering me?"

Making a spitting gesture, Matsukura replied, "I don’t really like that guy. In my opinion, he's a little too perfect."

Perfect, you say? I know Tokinori is one of the best-looking guys in our year group; his grades are roughly the fourth best in class; he's also a member of the football club and considered fairly athletic; all in all, I see where he's going with this.

Still, I don't believe in the concept of the perfect human.

I fought the urge to pat Matsukura on his shoulder and say, "It’s not that deep."

However, I’m not sure what he classifies as "deep."

"Oh, I see. Well, that sure is something, huh? You learn something new every day."

"Still, if you can get a girlfriend, so can I, so maybe we should stick close to him, right Takanawa?"

Takawana sighed. "You're making it sound so strange, but Matsukura means he wants to be friends."

No, it sounds like Matsukura just wants to stick close to me until he figures out how I did what he believes I did, then disappear.

"Yes, exactly what he said," confirmed Matsukura.

I scratched the back of my head because how does one get out of this situation?

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