Chapter 3: For what it's worth, Sanae Erika is kind as always (3-1)

Through the desolate halls of the special building's fourth floor, was a cool, spring breeze that gently made its way from one end to the other.

It was the kind of soothing breeze that could calm ones soul, and the tranquil silence that reigned over the vicinity further strengthened the effect. It was also the kind of wind that reminded a loner such as myself, who didn't give any significance to the season in question, that it truly was spring.

People around my age group tend to hold a rather positive outlook in regards to this time of year. To them, spring is a symbol of new beginnings; a time of change and revitalization. It was a once-in-a-year chance for them to start a new life.

To put it bluntly, it was basically the season where their expectations, fantasies and illusions were at their prime. In fact, even the imagine breaker would have a hard time breaking those screwed-up illusions of theirs. 

They continue living their days as they would on any other day, but with the hopes of sprinkling their dull and mundane lives with the abstract thing called 'love' added in. They dash toward their goals and leap through the high hurdles of uncertainty, only to get disappointed once their confessions got shot down.

They risk their pride for uncertain results and fool themselves with the act of falling in love, when in truth, the feelings that they bore were born only for the sole purpose of fitting in with the rest who rejoice in the season.

It's nothing but sham. A roundabout way of self-affirmation.

In truth, spring is the season where loneliness is born.

With a brand-new term and a brand-new class, all your human relationships will be reset to zero. The people who you thought were your friends last term will be nothing but a mere phone contact this term. And those whom you've occasionally talked to before will be reduced to nothing but mere strangers.

As for graduating students from different year levels, all the relationships you've had will not only get reset, but also crushed, erased, and decimated to nothingness once you enter a new environment.

Being forced into isolation, urged to establish your position in a brand-new social hierarchy, and pressured into building your reputation from scratch.

This was the true colors of the spring that everyone rejoiced, the fully-stripped nature that it held within itself.

In short, the spring these people enjoy is nothing but a hoax.

As for me, a low-life person who has zero relationships to begin with, I was obviously unaffected by this wide-spread disease. Having been trapped in that vortex of falsehood during my middle school days, I've learned from my mistakes and grown an immunity to it.

In fact, I'm already at the point where I could confidently say I could make millions if I ever decide to develop a cure for it. All that was left was to take the years it would take to conduct a proper research into account and I'm all good to go. But since I'm pretty sure I'd give up half-way through, it'd be better to screw that thought and discard it while I still can.

As the thought of my future business venture crashed and burned, I stopped in my tracks at a certain room.

The familiar door with the nameless doorplate was slightly slid open, giving the impression that someone was already inside, the faint scent of old wood peeking through the small gap.

Considering that this building was the furthest from the entrance, and the floor I was on was the topmost floor, it should go without saying that this place was, most of the time, deserted.

The special building's rooms were used by various clubs at this time of day, and even the room being used by the student council was also located somewhere in the building. But with all that said, as you progressed through each floor, the number of rooms that were being used would gradually decrease, leaving our current floor the ghost-town that it is.

So if I were to go by elimination, there was only one person who could be on the other side.

Now that I think about it, was it seriously a good idea to leave two high school students like us in an empty floor like this!? What was sensei thinking! Her abrupt way of making decisions is going to kill someone sooner or later I tell you.

I sighed with the thought of sensei's carelessness.

"Seriously…what the hell was she thinking?" I murmured to myself as I readjusted my bag.

"What are you doing just standing there? You're kind of blocking the way here." A disembodied voice suddenly spoke from behind, exuding complete and utter coldness with each word that was said.

For a split-second there, a sudden chill ran down my spine, and the thought of jumping out of the windows became a choice I wanted to consider. But given sufficient time and with proper inspection, one would come to realize that the voice was awfully familiar. In fact, it was seriously weird to think that it was oh-so familiar, considering that I didn't know the person in question just until recently.

As I wrapped up the case with a conclusion in mind, I looked the person's way through the corner of my eye, welcoming her with an irate expression.

"…would it kill you to not talk so suddenly like that? I thought I was a goner for a moment there."

The one who responded to my recipient-less complaint was no other than the well-known figure of class 2-A, Segawa Haruna.

"Just that much freaked you out? I'm surprised at how seemingly weak spirited you are." A small grin formed on her face. "In the first place, there aren't such things as ghosts in this world. I find it hard to believe that someone who wants to overturn society someday believes in stupid things like the supernatural."

….What the hell is this girl going on about? Who's going to overturn society? Makishima Shogo? Is he still out to liberate society from the sibyl system or something? Somebody stop that guy already!

"Nah..nobody said anything about ghosts. Stop jumping into conclusions will you..?"

"Oh? If it isn't ghost you're afraid of, then what?"

"….."

"….."

There was a short pause in-between our small exchange, until I decided to answer with a mind-boggling answer.

"Human."

"Ehh.." Segawa blurted out in an indifferent tone, a conceited expression began playing on her face. "Such a clichéd answer, if I do say so myself. Well, I figured you were the kind of person who'd proudly proclaim stuff like 'human beings are far scarier than ghost', and the sort. Nothing too surprising there I guess."

"No, it's not what you think. Seriously." I breathe a deep sigh as a memory came into mind; a long, forgotten tale hanging on the tip of my tongue. "Back in grade school, around fourth grade or so, there was this rumored haunted restroom that was used by our grade. It was the only restroom that our grade could use at the time. I didn't believe in things such as ghosts and spirits, so I wasn't really bothered by those rumors one bit. It was only said to be haunted because the hall you had to pass was dimly lit after all. But one day, on a certain rainy day on the month of June, the way to the restroom was way more darker than usual, and the sound of thunder crashing also gave a really threatening effect. Still, I wasn't bothered by their stories up to that point, until I got out of the restroom."

I took a short pause from my not-so-scary human story and glanced shortly in Segawa's direction. She was listening attentively to my surprise. So you're into this kind of stuff, huh?

"Then, what does all that have to do with people being scary?"

"L-let me finish first will you.." I cleared my throat as I continued my tale. "As soon as I finished my business, I opened the faucet and washed my hands, then wiped them dry with the paper napkins they had inside. And as soon as I opened the door, I was welcomed by a pitch-black hallway. As someone who didn't believe in that sort of thing, I began to walk indifferently, paying little-to-no heed to the fear inside me that was gradually getting stirred. It was then when it happened. Outside of my knowledge, someone from my class was hiding deep within the shadows, waiting patiently for the right time to give me a jump scare. And as if the universe decided to give him all the ill-will in the world, he jumped out of nowhere and gave me an unexpected scare. It was seriously effective and was frightening as hell…ever since, the other guys from my class began to do the same. I had to hold my bladder in for the rest of the day until the hall was given proper lighting after a month or two. Seriously, human beings are scary. Especially kids."

As soon as my tale had come to an end, I felt a staggering stare prickling against my skin, eyes questioning my very existence staring deep into my soul.

"That's one petty reason you got there, surprisingly. I thought your logic had more depth to it or something."

"Heh- You give me too much credit. I'm pretty average, if I do say so myself."

Hearing what I said, Segawa released a short sigh, a small smile formed on her supple-looking lips. "I see you're really fixed on being average huh?"

"Pretty much." I answered briefly. "And besides, it's not like being average is a bad thing. There are a number of merits from being average. Just like how-"

"Ah, right right. You're Mr. Average, I get it." Segawa interjected in attempt to cut me off, taking a step forward as she grabbed the sliding door.

"Tch." I clicked my tongue out of subtle frustration, murmuring to myself in an inaudible voice. "In short, being average isn't bad."

"Ah right..since you're fine with mediocrity, then I guess you wouldn't mind this." She swiftly turned my way with a bottle of green tea in hand, flashing it my way with a casual look.

I seriously had no clue what this girl was trying to say. It took me a good two seconds to process her message.

"What, showing off your 'I too, can buy average things from time to time' appeal? I don't really care about your preference in drinks…" And who are you calling average, apologize to green tea-chan.

"What are you going on about..?" She wearily asked with a sharp glare. "I'm obviously giving it to you. So quit being picky and just take it."

"Ah, well, I was told by my mom to not casually accept things that are handed to me for no reason. I don't think I did anything worth receiving that."

"Ah, w-well..it's sort of like a thanks for yesterday, for listening to my rant and all." She paused, averting her eyes. "And also an apology for having to listen to it. A-and also a bribe to keep your mouth shut about it...I guess."

Which is it really..? Make up your damn mind woman.

"No, I don't think I need to get repaid for something as trivial as that." Seriously. If I could get paid for just using my ears, then I'd gladly accept the job without second thoughts.

Segawa breathe a sigh of resignation as she frustratingly rubbed her temple, as if my words were giving her a head ache. "Will you just take it already? I just want to express my gratitude is all. If you don't want it then I'll gladly withdraw my offer."

Oh, now that you put it that way,

The way she put it this time was of a different approach. If she continued to persist with the former context, I would have eventually accepted and would have felt indebted to her in some way. I seriously knew that me, listening to her problems, didn't require compensation. But by putting the pretense of 'showing one's gratitude' over her original intent, not only did she make it harder for me to turn her down, but it also gave me the reassurance that I wouldn't be indebted to her. Was this intentional or something?

I hesitantly accepted and grabbed hold of the bottle. In the process, I accidentally touched her surprisingly soft hand, but she didn't seem to mind as she casually withdrew hers, so it would only be correct if I did the same and ignored the split-second incident.

"T-thanks.." I expressed my thanks through a small voice, avoiding her gaze up front.

It was the first time I've received something like this in a very long while, so I wasn't too sure how to properly conduct myself. I believe it was back in grade school when I reminded our teacher about a quiz she forgot to give. Only, she was the only one who appreciated the thought. The rest of the class gave me the cold shoulder afterwards. But I guess this much was probably enough since she didn't seem to be too bothered with the way I responded.

With a "Mmm" from her lips and a smile on her face, she turned the other way as she slid the door open. 

"Let's go, it's time to officially start club activities." She said so with a step without looking back.

As soon as my legs began to move on their own, I noticed a school bag that was placed on the table. I also came to realize that Segawa didn't have a bag on her just now. Which means…

I should have given her a more proper thanks.