It was Friday, the day Araka finally switched back to her routine as a high school student. The aftermath of the four incidents - the highway panther incident, the unwiring of Ami, the one at the live house and the encounter at the cave, had brought Araka more questions than answers: what had changed since she got in the SAIR? Why does there seem to be a power she had never known to have suddenly become relevant in this changing world?
During the lunch break, as usual, the students were chatty. Araka, now wandering through the more historical wing of the Vensan Academy, wanted to set her mind back to what a high schooler was supposed to have - get through the day without using the word Matake.
Until -
As she passed through the second hallway near the Vensan main stairwell when Aqua, wearing a hoodie with a guitar logo covering her sailors style school uniform, appeared beside her, sitting on the steps.
"Araka," she spoke with a hint of urgency. "Come with me."
"Where?"
"Go with me to the east corner of the old wing. I gathered someone who understands more about your power."
"…You what?" Before Araka could react, Aqua grabbed her and brought her away from the stairwell.
A few minutes later, in the quiet corner of the third-floor hallway, Araka met the person Aqua had been talking about: A girl with long graphite coloured hair, with pale skin, wearing round glasses coupled with her oversized tracksuit that covered most of her skirt and a graphite coloured stockings beneath the skirt. She looks like someone who hadn't spoken to someone else for 10 years, Araka thought.
"Hitsutake Yuminaka (平竹 吉寧) of Gr.10," Aqua introduced her with her hands inside the hoodie's pocket, and the girl nodded slightly, "This is Araka, my classmate."
"Hi, Yuminaka-"Araka, with her usual calm but friendly tone, greeted her. However, what came back in return was merely a nod. That - that's a bit strange, isn't it, Araka thought to herself, while keeping herself composed.
Aqua leaned forward, spoke in a semi serious tone: "Actually, Araka, we're decided to launch an independent investigation team."
Araka blinked: "…Into what?"
"Matake." Aqua laid out the idea like revealing a government secret, "We know you know something, especially after what happened at my concert… They're surfacing. Something's going on that those having power didn't want us to, on quote, 'worrying about'. "
Matake.
The word with three syllables, yet Araka had dealt with it throughout the week.
Yuminaka nodded solemnly, while pulling out a small gridded notebook from her grey backpack. "Six unrelated urban events with observations of spikes in 'resonance energy', and I have charted them."
Araka stared, speechless: …Oh no. Aqua is deep into it. I didn't even know she's hanging out with student conspiracy theorists.
"Matake," Araka repeated, arms crossed, glancing toward the nearby hallway as if someone might walk by, "It's - it's a complicated topic. You can't just 'investigate' it like a school rumor. Even I had no idea -"
Aqua cut in: "I'm not asking you to join us." She leaned in further toward Araka, with her eyes hinted at certainty: "I just want to know one thing."
Araka blinked:
"At the concert," Aqua said, "when that man started forcing people to listen to him; when he said those things that made everyone freeze…"
A pause, and a refocus.
"You didn't move - you stood up. Why?"
Araka hesitated. It was the exact scenario that Huashin warned yesterday: do not inform any civilian about the existence of Matake - it is still a largely classified term that even the SAIR itself was still uncertain about its origins.
"That wasn't… what you think. I mean, this kind of thing happens in real crises. It's more like a psychological precondition. People freeze because they fear. If someone speaks up, the illusion breaks. That's all."
Yuminaka gazed at Araka while she scribed onto her notebook.
Aqua, still with her eyes watching, wasn't convinced.
"It's that easy, huh?" she said, voiced softly.
Araka, however, felt her defense was also about to collapse: Aqua, just drop it - maybe let's talk about the weird song you're working on-
"…Yeah," Araka said, barely hiding her worries: "It's that easy." The response was silence, with Yuminaka's eyes still locked onto Araka's face.
Then, after a while, Aqua looked away slowly, like filing the moment away for later.
"Okay, I got it," she murmured. "Thanks."
Then, after some typing on her phone, she looked back again, voiced even: "Actually, we're not new to the topic, Araka. It's everywhere on the internet."
Araka, barely found a moment of relief, then was pulled back into Aqua's tea talks.
"Then why haven't I heard about it?" she said, while downplaying her own concerns, "If Matake was that widespread, it'd be all over the headlines."
Aqua didn't blink: "It's not in the news, but it's already everywhere in the forum - posts and threads about the sighting, direct messages."
Araka narrowed her eyes. "What kind of forum?"
"Nansan Curious Tales Society (南山奇聞社)," Yuminaka pulled her phone from her backpack, and showed her screen- a rather sketchy one with the format stuck in the style that was obsolete 20 years earlier.
Araka blinked.
"Nansan Curious Tales Society? You're reading that?"
Aqua nodded once. "That's where I first read about Matake last year."
Araka gave a small, tired sigh: "My dad showed me that site last year. It's… just nonsense. The people there think streetlights hum frequencies that control your brain and that forgotten vending machines are psychic signal amplifiers."
Yuminaka mumbled, "That's only a small portion of us, and they were harming the platform."
"But that alone should give you some red flag -"
Aqua cut in again: "but as for Matake - people would believe it regardless - it's too consistent, and the words from the reports were so vague that it was barely believable."
Araka stared back - she didn't have anything else to say. In some way, Aqua was right - incidents like that have happened, and there will be people asking uncomfortable questions.
"So anyway," Aqua shifted her eyes away, "we have some experts on our side. If you found yourself being overwhelmed by Matake, let us know - we even have someone selling stuff that could 'detoxify' you from it."
"For sure," Araka replied while keeping her expression flat, while hiding her own sense of relief. Huh? I was thinking they knew something I didn't know, she thought, and it turned out they had no idea what Matake even was.
——
It's the afternoon, when Araka's first track and field team practice of this semester began.
Araka stepped onto the track with her flashy blue track and field outfit: the blue Novak set with a racer back sport-bra style top and running brief clang onto her silhouette, and her shiny cyan-neon coloured sneakers clicking softly on the rubber surface.
She took a breath - the smell of chalk, sunscreen, and newly cut grass. It's the same as my middle school years, she thought.
She looked around - Anikara was taking a break from the opening run - the 50m sprint, while the others were chatting, waiting to be called.
Araka, with her eyes focused, launched herself forward as the signal cleared by the coach.
It was a longer run - 1k, but Araka managed to clear it at a flat out pace.
As she reached the 1k mark, she breathed steadily, slowed her pace and crossed the marker.
A few claps from the sidelines—not loud, but approving.
"4 minute 15 seconds," Coach Iyuki Juna (玉井 純奈) announced the result, while recording it on a tablet, "not bad for a more reserved performance, and I'm expecting to see better results for State and even National meets."
Araka knew what that meant - a good start for this year.
Meanwhile, two of her teammates leaned on the fence, whispering something about her form. One nodded, impressed.
As the opening evaluation completed, Araka made her way to the track edge, stretching her legs and brushing sweat from her eyebrow.
"So you're back?" Anikara dropped beside her, grinning, "I've been wondering where you ran off to. You missed the first meeting."
Araka gave her a look, partly amused, partly cautious: "It's some… government internship I managed to secure. You know, the thing that helps my university application."
"Wow," Anikara blinked: "I guess it's not the 'sorting flyers in a councilor's office' type, I guess." She then poked Araka's shoulder. "If Araka-sa finds it interesting, it must be something different from sitting at your dad's office."
Araka looked at Anikara: Anikara's always like this, but what had changed was Araka herself - the fact that she knew something most civilians should not know, but even the SAIR didn't fully figure out yet.
Anikara picked a stray grass stem from the field and twirled it between her fingers. "You know," she said with her usual layback tone, "my family's not that far from state connections either. After all, my dad runs contracts with both state and federal construction projects - not exactly the brightest part of business innovation."
Araka leaned back on her palms, watching a cloud drift overhead: "Even so, most of these jobs - they're real - aren't publicly listed, and more importantly, you have to pass exams, which is strict."
Anikara tilted her head, giving her a look just short of a smirk. "Yeah, yeah… and here you are again. Always have the connection whenever you need it."
Araka only responded with a small shrug: "Still, you know that, right?"
Anikara held the look for a second. Then tossed the grass stem away, grinning.
"Fine. Keep your secret. After all, you're always my best friend, Araka-sa."
Araka smiled.
The sun had dipped even more, casting long shadows across the track's ground.
"You know, Araka" Anikara, after taking another sip from her water bottle, said, "despite how long I have known you, you're still kind of a contradiction."
Araka raised an eyebrow.
"You live in a villa," Anikara continued. "In one of the nicest parts of West Bakju. You get picked up in a private car sometimes. And yet… since elementary school, you're sitting on the ground eating sandwiches with me."
Araka didn't respond right away. It was always part of her life, at least what Moraka, Araka's mom, expected her to be: being attached with the surrounding people.
"You know, I've met others from Niangkee before. Some even said they are from the Peni clan too. But most of them? Cold. Arrogant. Especially the kids around our age."
Araka exhaled, wiping the back of her neck with her hands: "I think a lot of it is regional. After all, Niangkee is more populated than Bakju, and had been the economic and even political centre long before Bakju and Zenju became relevant."
"I guess so," Anikara said: "I mean, when Bakju became its own regional core, some of the old money didn't take it well. But I guess being provincial wasn't necessarily a bad thing - things are way easier here."
Araka nodded: "and the federation made the right call - after all, there shouldn't really be monopolies in power and wealth, especially in the post unification world."
Upon hearing that, Anikara took a closer glance at Araka: "well, you talk like a university student now. Guess being closer to the power did make you different."
"Well, that just might be my habit," Araka smiled.
"Always the habit," Anikara giggled softly, "and you know what? One day if your name appears on the election ballot, I will vote for you."
"Oy," a firm voice came behind them.
Kuu Yashin (顧 雅心), the taller girl with short hair damp from warm-up runs, jogged over with towel slung across her shoulder.
"You two done with the philosophy talk?" She pointed her thumb behind her, "Coach Juna's calling."
Araka and Anikara exchanged a look, then followed.
The girl's track team, eleven members in total, gathered at the center line. Coach Juna stood with her tablet, whistle dangling around her neck.
"Everyone, Listen up," Her voice was calm, but carried weight, "In three weeks, we've got the Chuubo State Meet. That's not a warm-up meet."
She paused a bit, then looked around: "I expect Vensan to show why we lead the region."
On the sidelines, two of the upper year runners exchanged hushed whispers.
"You think she's worried about Araka?"
"She did skip training last week…"
Before the murmurs could build, Juna turned her gaze subtly toward them: "It's not Araka I'm worried about. It's the rest of you."
A pause, and followed with a moment of silence.
"Some of you have gotten too used to her setting the record."
Araka stayed quiet. But Anikara turned and raised an eyebrow at her. A grin playing at the corners of her mouth: "Hehe."
Coach Juna checked her tablet again, and then glanced toward the far field, where the boys' team was finishing stretches: "And it's not just this team. I've seen the same trend over there, the boy's team. They leaned too hard on Zau Tzumin (曹 竹敏) last year. And that's exactly why I was worried: if one runner becomes the entire identity of a team, it only takes one single snap to lead to the collapse of the whole team's performance."
Zau Tzumin. The name resonated through her mind.
She knew the name well. Everyone at Vensan did: long legs; clean strides; effortless speed. But to Araka, he had another layer: thoughts about him being her crash.
Anikara noticed the pause and glanced sideways: "You okay?"
Araka blinked, then exchanged: "Yeah. Just… spacing out."
Coach Juna tapped her tablet against her thigh and continued her commentary: "You know why this team still functions? It's not because we're consistently good." She let the reaction settle down for a bit: "Most of you haven't hit the state level benchmark in the latest three meets, despite being in the team longer than me."
A moment of silence again.
Then Juna's voice lowered, and her comment became even more sharp: "It's because Araka and Anikara were brought in early—before they even enrolled in high school. Back when the team was slipping, and the principal's council wanted to save face."
The silence tightened, with a few members looking away.
Juna continued with her tone unchanged: "You should be grateful Araka stayed in Vensan: Because if she transferred to one of the schools in northern Chuubo? This program would be a joke."
Araka said nothing: it was the first time she heard Coach Juna being so outspoken about the situation; but more importantly, on top of her SAIR intern and even the potential Matake and shard crisis, she is also sitting above a team - the one she had was in since her middle school years, the one she had attached herself to - that could fall apart any moment.
After a moment, Juna put away her tablet on the ground, and she looked directly at Araka, who was still trying to sort out the situation.
"Look, Araka and Anikara, it's not that I want to slander all your efforts, because I'm genuinely worried," she then looked at the others. "If, for any reason, Araka doesn't make it to the meet, then Vensan, this prestigious independent academy with some of the longest legacy of excellence in the nation, will become a laughing stock."
The arrogance flinched at the words.
"Do you think Sakju and Zenju's schools are going to let us slip without mocking us from the rooftops? And you think half-laps and cut corners are going to keep us ahead?"
A long pause, and Juna looked toward Araka again: "…Araka, I know you're shouldering more than you let on. But if you can offer something, even not as the nominal captain of the team, I would be very grateful."
Araka nodded, but didn't respond.
——-
The session dispersed slowly as everyone went to do their own tasks, whether getting themselves changed or picking up their backpacks.
"Araka," a voice came by as Araka and Anikara were taking a break. Araka turned back and found Takana (明奈), the nominal captain, slouched her way over. Her short ponytail damp with sweat, while holding a blue water bottle in hand.
She looked at Araka, not unkind, but clearly slightly annoyed.
"You know," she said, voice casual but sharp, "you kind of screwed the curve."
Araka blinked. It was the first time the captain was straightforward about it.
Takana gestured vaguely: "You run sub-four-minute kilometers like you're doing a warm-up lap, and now since you officially enrolled in high school, Juna's staring at us like we're sandbags."
Anikara stepped in, arms crossed: "Maybe that's because you could be better, Takana. You're the freakin' captain."
Takana rolled her eyes: "Oh please-"
"No, really." Anikara cut her off. "You're faster than others, just below me when sprinting. You've got better form than Azuteka (兆音). But you aim for bare minimums."
Takana opened her mouth, but then she closed it - Anikara was telling the truth.
Then muttered, "Whatever. It's not like I'm chasing state medals."
Araka, still calm, finally said something: "Takana, look. You don't have to chase medals. Just don't drag the team down when someone else does more, especially you, Captain."
Just as the conversation continued, Azuteka (兆音), the short haired girl with slightly chubby builds, strolled by.
"I mean… Vensan was never really about sports anyway."
She took a sip from her water bottle - the limited edition orange one from Asumi.
"Tuition's already sky-high, the uniform we're wearing is tailored, and half our parents have golfed with at least one member of the State Assembly." She shrugged."If the principal really wants results, he can just hire more top runners like mercenaries. It's not fair to expect every merchant to grab a spear."
Anikara raised an eyebrow: "Then explain Araka."
Azuteka looked at her.
"She pays the tuition too," Anikara said, with her eyes focused, "and her family contributed to the school more than anyone else here, yet she's still out here running until her legs give out."
Anikara stepped even closer. "You think those girls from Sakju are sitting around sipping barley tea between laps?"
A silence from both Takana and Azuteka.
Then she added, voice low but clear: "and if y'all think you're the upper years, than better show it to us."