A muffled *thud* reverberated in the distance, drowning my entire world in black. That *thud* repeated over and over, each time faster, louder—until it felt like it was happening right behind me.
***
I slowly opened my eyes. My vision blurred, so I rubbed them a couple of times until the room came back into focus. I scanned the rows of heads absentmindedly.
…Where the hell am I?
That was when the *thud* rang out from behind me. I tried turning around, but my body got caught in the metal frame of my desk.
"Pst, hey, welcome to the waking world again," a voice whispered from behind me.
I slowly craned my head to the side and stared at the person with cold eyes.
"Is that how you thank the dude who just woke you up?!" Yu muttered. "Where are your manners?"
I took a deep breath and declared, far louder than necessary, "What are you talking about????"
A loud slam echoed through the room, and everything went silent. My eyes widened slightly. Oh yeah… that's where I am. I turned toward the front of the classroom. The teacher stood there, her face twisted with rage.
Goddammit…
"Hoshino! To the office, now!"
"Yes, ma'am."
I stood up from my seat and walked toward the door. I felt the familiar weight of twenty pairs of eyes on my back—pity, amusement, scorn. But I don't care anymore.
"I tried to warn you, man," Yu whispered.
"And you, Yu, go with him too!"
Yu shot up from his seat, raising both hands frantically. "But, miss, I'm innocent!"
"Well, that's what you get for trying to cover for him!" she snapped. "Still—I'll respect you for being a good friend."
Yu let out a disgruntled sigh and followed me out. Once we reached the hallway, the teacher kicked us out and loudly slammed the door shut.
Without wasting a moment, I turned on my heel and leisurely made my way toward the office. Yu, however, stood still in front of the door.
"So that's it?" he muttered. "I get in trouble for trying to help you, and I don't even get a thank you?"
"Oh, stop acting so mad," I said without turning back. "I know you thought it was a little funny."
Yu ran up and shoved me on the back—well, more like a full-on push than a shove. I stumbled forward a bit but didn't bother reacting.
"You got me," he said with a grin, completely unapologetic. "We can be like—you know, partners in crime! Isn't that cool?!"
A wide, innocent grin spread across his face. I felt the urge to chuckle, but I kept it down in place of my aloof expression.
"Wipe that stupid grin off your face; it doesn't suit you. I think someone who's six-foot-four should look more like…" I turned toward him, put on a mean frown, and furrowed my brows intimidatingly. "Like this," I said, dropping my voice.
Yu rolled his eyes. "You know I can't do that. I'm just a happy dude, what's wrong with that?!"
"Nothing's wrong with being happy," I said. "But being overly happy is another thing. Some people think that's overbearing—or worse, fake."
He shrugged. "Those people will come to the light eventually. I can save them!" He clasped both his hands like he was giving a small prayer.
I couldn't help but sigh. "Don't be delusional. No offense, but the only one who can save you is yourself. Or at the very least—it won't be God."
"Well… maybe you're right. But it doesn't hurt to still try."
"...I guess not."
We walked the rest of the way in silence. Eventually, we arrived at the front of the office. I grabbed the door and held it open for Yu, gesturing for him to enter.
"Please, ladies first," I said with a wink.
"Oh, piss off."
He grabbed my arm and dragged me in with him. The office lady stared at us with a sharp gaze. Yu let out a strained laugh, and I couldn't help but shake my head.
Everyone can tell what you're thinking, you know.
I took a step forward and gave the office lady a small wave. "Sorry, we got in trouble, and we were told to come to the office."
The office lady pointed to the room next door. "The Principal is in there. He will handle it."
"Thank you very much."
I gave her a polite bow before entering the room next door. It was a relatively small room, but it carried an old air of artificial importance— like being allowed in here was a privilege. Of course—that was nothing more than a trick.
In the center of the room sat an old man behind a large, wooden desk, his hands folded professionally.
"Well, well, well," he said. "Two times in one month? You're on a roll, aren't you? Hoshino?"
That man was the principal. He had thin white hair that still managed to cover his head, and wrinkles that accentuated a calm, steady personage.
"Yeah, well, it happens," I replied lazily. "Let's hope there isn't a third time."
The principal gave a dry chuckle.
"Uhhh, I'm here too, you know," Yu said awkwardly, pointing to himself.
The principal blinked, then turned toward him. An awkward pause hung in the air before he cleared his throat. "Ah, sorry about that. I didn't notice you. I thought you were just bringing Hoshino in. My apologies, you may leave now."
Yu hesitated. "A-are you sure? Won't you get in trouble? I am technically in trouble, after all."
The principal shook his head. "It's fine. I know Hoshino probably dragged you into it anyway. But I will ask, please wait for him before you return to class." He glanced around the room suspiciously before continuing. "It'll look bad if you two return at different times. Keep it a secret, okay?" he whispered with a wink.
Yu straightened. "Y-yes, sir!"
Yu gave him a deep bow and left. I glanced through the window and saw him waiting outside the office, exactly as he was instructed.
…You don't have to look so tense, you know. It's not that serious.
Still, from the reflection of the window, I noticed that a small smile had found its way on my face. You're so stupid…
I blinked, and the smile was gone—replaced by something far more detached. I shifted my gaze back to the principal. Now, it was only he and I who were left standing in the room.
"Well then," he said calmly. "Let's begin, shall we?"
I sighed. "Whatever, just make this quick, okay?"