5 Breaking all ties

Having gone through my Sunday, it was time for the next day. The worst day of the week, Monday. I had made up my mind about breaking all my ties with Isogai no matter what.

Doing this was easy. To break ties with anyone just make that person hate you. It really easy to hate someone. Human heart is such that it is incompatible of loving everyone but is really good at hating everyone. What people call love at first sight is not love, but it is infatuation. It is a simple product of the lust which dwells in every human. To love someone means loving every single thing about them not just the appearance. You even need to love one's nature. It really is hard to love someone truly but it is very easy to hate them truly.

It comes more easily as a byproduct of love. If you love someone you will also hate someone. They coexist. That is why it is impossible to love everyone but easy to hate everyone.

Also hate can be triggered by a single word. It does not take much time. This is the truth. The harsh truth. This world is not only made with love but also hate which is in much larger proportion.

The other way to go about it was leaving the place without any notice and also not leave any ways for her to contact me which I did not want to do. I don't want to leave this place. I quite enjoy being here.

I was on my way to school when a person jumped in front of me.

"Why did you not wait for me?"

"Am I supposed to wait for you?"

"Well I guess now that we go school together."

"Just because we happen to meet on the way twice does not mean we go to school together."

"Okay, so from now on we will go to school together."

"So she is ordering me. She really got some nerves."

I said those thoughts out loud deliberately.

"Yes, I got some nerve right? Hahaha."

I advise you to go back to grade school and pick up your lost brain.

"Hey, Itsuki you are acting weird today."

Hearing her say that I glared at her aggressively.

"Don't address me like you know me Isogai-san."

Hearing me talk like that she stepped back a little but then regained her usual self and whispered in my ear.

"Call me Ine like you did yesterday Itsuki, or is it too embarrassing for you."

What is this girl even thinking acting like this? Guess I need to bring out the big guns.

"Shut up. You are annoying. You freak."

These lines can easily bring unsettling feelings inside any person this is directed to. If you don't believe me try it out yourself.

"And also don't talk to me."

Hearing this Isogai really lost her composure. Her eyes became watery and soon tears started to come out of her eyes. Guess my strategy is working. It is really easily to break and manipulate the human heart.

"Why are you talking to me like this?"

I kept quite not because I was feeling guilty but because I wanted a reaction out of her. She held my shoulder and started jerking it forward and backward.

"Hey, tell me."

I jerked of my shoulder and started walking forward.

"Tell me Itsuki!!"

She shouted this time. I did not look back because I knew she was sobbing as her voice was filled with sadness and sorrow (not the song).

"Because I hate people like you. Don't show me your face again."

Saying that I fiddled on my phone and blocked her number and also deleted it form my contact list.

To people like Isogai. Acts like these are the ones which hurt the most. So simple to break their tiny heart. A great light novel protagonist one said, "We cannot reset our lives but we can reset our relationships with others." What I just did was exactly that. I hit a reset button to my relationship with Isogai with a slight change. It worked pretty well.

As I walked of I could hear Isogai sobbing in the background. Why was she crying at such matter? Not that I care but this girl really is something else. Hard to find people like them.

Whatever that is the end of my worries. The school gate was in sight so I did not want to think a lot about this matter anymore. Once I entered the building and changed in my indoor shoes, I came across Fumihiro. He looked well which was a good thing. Looks like I have done my job perfectly. As I passed him he whispered,

"Remember the promise."

Why does he think I will go back on that? I have never taken my word back in my entire life. This is the cruel world huh.

I entered our classroom and sat at my desk next to the door. I prefer that desk because it is the easiest to get to without much interaction with anyone.

Everything was normal in the class until the door opened and a certain person stepped in. She didn't look so different but her face showed that she just cried and was not in a good mood.

"What happened Ine-chan?"

"Why do you ask?"

Guys can you please volume down a little. The whole school can hear that easily. Is it so weird for someone to cry? If it was a boy crying then it would be a big mess (due to the damn stereotypes. Even guys have a heart come on).

"You look like you were crying Ine-chan."

Saying that Fumihiro looked at me. Why are you looking at me? I did not hurt her. You can only be hurt by people you love (in anyway). Don't look at me.

I did not turn my face because I could feel the entire class's stare at me. I took out the new volume of the light novel I was reading and started reading it. Huh? So now there is an unhabited island exam? What kind of school has that much budget?

"Really its nothing everyone. It's nothing."

She said the last part in a gloomy way. If you want to hide something then hide it in a way that people believe it. It was more like telling others to ponder on the matter more. I decided to remain quiet and let the chaos in the class settle down.

The chaos settled down soon after. Really how a person's crying can cause such a thing? Humans really are strange creatures. Now it was time for people's base less hypothesis and everyone was talking obviously about yours truly, me.

It was something I hated with the bottom of my heart. I stood from my desk and walked out of the classroom. I guess we will need some time to settle this down. In the hallways people was talking about this incident. Just how fast do these things travel? Scary.

I could hear them saying,

"Seriously Isogai-chan was crying? No way."

"She is a person who no one has ever seen crying so what happened today?"

Looks like her crying really is a big deal.

In the hallway I met Haruka-sensei she was in her usual cloths with a coat on but today she had her long hair open. Her hair were almost at her knees. Must be a real pain taking care of her long hair. I even have long hair for a boy and those also take lot of care. I have to shampoo them almost every day.

"Takana you know that you are my favorite student. In all this years of me teaching here you are one of a kind."

Hearing that brought me a sense of relief. Finally someone understands me.

"Sensei."

"I heard about Isogai. What did you do?"

Huh? That came as a shock.

"Why do you think I am the cause?"

"I don't think I know that."

"I didn't do anything."

"Is that so? Did you meet her on the way to school?"

"Yes, I did. Just told her to stop bothering me and not to interact with me in the future. Nothing else."

"Hmm, Takana when was the last time you proper interacted with one of your classmates?"

"Two years ago."

"No wonder. Okay I get it now."

Saying that she walked towards the class. I checked the time, there was still 5 minutes left for homeroom to start, guess I should also head back.

As I entered the class I could feel the serious atmosphere of the room. I quietly took my seat without saying a word like usual. Everyone was still staring at me. Fumihiro walked up to me with an angry expression.

"What did you do Takana?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb, you were the one who made Ine-chan cry didn't you."

"No, I did not. How will I make her cry? If I had to make her cry I had to beat her up which I will never do."

Only people who are close to her or who say something bad about people close to her will make her cry and I did not do any of that.

"So you would even beat a girl up."

"Wow I have never met a half deaf person in my entire life up until now."

Hearing that Fumihiro's expression turned from anger into complete death stare. He extended his arm and grabbed my collar. His grip was really firm. I was about to make a move but Isogai shouted.

"Stop is Daichi-kun, Takana-kun has nothing to do with it."

She jumped right in between us. Seeing her Fumihiro's face relaxed a bit as he let go of my collar.

"I am sorry about that Takana-kun."

Isogai said with a fake smile. I had seen her smiling most of the time so I knew how she smiled but this was different. It was more forced than natural. After all that she is still protecting me. She really is not someone you meet every day.

I took my seat as the bell rang. Haruka sensei entered the classroom and we greeted her. She took the roll call and then the class became normal again. Looks like everything calmed down on the surface. I lived almost a year and a half on my own in a crowds so I know what is going on the most. That is one of my special abilities- super observation. I really want to say that while posing sometime.

I went back to reading the light novel. Wow, this one guy in their class is Tarzan or something. The rest of the period went peacefully for me. Before going Haruka sensei called Isogai with her. Looks like she will ask her also why she cried. Really what's the big deal about her crying?

When the sensei went with Isogai Fumihiro again approached me. He stood next to my desk and slammed his hand on it.

"I know Ine-chan said that only to save you but I know you did something. So you better say that now or you will regret it you asshole."

Woah that were some really rude words out of his mouth. Looks like this is what liking a girl make you do. I don't think I will ever like a person if that is what it does to us.

He tried to grab my collar again but this time I grabbed his hand in middle of the process.

"Huh?"

"I don't like if someone grabs my collar Fumihiro."

I said that in a cold voice and glared at him as if saying, "Try it again and you will lose your hand." I let go of his hand and he stepped back. Then he walked back to his seat. The entire class went quite at that moment. They all stared at me and then Fumihiro. I went back to reading the light novel. I guess I am really getting obsessed by this one. Nice taste sensei.

Fumihiro sat at his seat and was pressing his hand. I could see my hand printed on it. Maybe I forgot to hold back a little, sorry. Isogai entered the classroom after a short while and sat at her seat. She noticed Fumihiro's hand.

"Daichi-kun what happened to your hand."

"Nothing just it was paining a little so I pressed it and got this."

"Oh, is that so."

You guys really have monkey brains. The way the hand was printed on his arm there was no way it was done by him. Then the print would be upside down. Anyway that is none of my concern anymore.

This was how everything was supposed to be. Me and Isogai minding our own business, not knowing of each other's existence. I don't want to turn back to how I was. I no longer want to be a weak herd animal. I will be a lone wolf forever.

The rest of the day went as usual. It was time for lunch and I walked out of the classroom to my usual place. I entered the room and took a chair placing it next to the window. Today there was a cool breeze blowing. The speaker was playing River Flows in You by Yiruma. A newer piece but not a bad one. I in fact really enjoy listening to this one.

I took out my lunch and started eating it. Today I made egg sandwiches, my favorite type. While I was eating the door opened and some boys of my class walked in. They were led by Fumihiro. Seriously, what kind of problem does he have with me?

He walked up to me and tried to smack the sandwich out of my hand. I quickly moved my hand saving it. Never mess with my sandwich.

"What is all this about?"

"You know what this is about."

"If I did know I would not have asked that question."

"Don't play dumb Takana, you did something to Ine-chan didn't you."

So he is still thinking that. He really is a pain. I wonder if a person can be this dumb. He approached me twice today both of the time with the same question whose answer I gave honestly. He really is persistence.

"And what do you think I did?"

"You hurt her didn't you?"

"There are no wounds on her body. If you don't believe me check for yourself."

"You really are one stubborn bastard."

As he said that the door flew open. Before Fumihiro could do anything Isogai walked in and called out Fumihiro with anger.

"What is the meaning of all this Daichi-kun?"

"I was here to make this bastard spit out the truth."

"And who asked you to do that? Me? Or you decided it on your own?"

"All of you please don't make so much noise in this room. I cannot listen."

Everyone looked at me and all of them except for Isogai did not know what I was talking about.

"I am sorry Takana-kun for all the problems they have caused you."

She said that bowing down. Seeing that Fumihiro shouted.

"See she is calling you Takana-kun, last time I saw you talking she was calling Takinu if I remember correctly."

"What is your point?"

Hearing that he made a face as if he got an opening to attack.

"You did something to her so now she went back to calling you Takana-kun. Seeing her behave like that I cannot imagine what you did to her."

Wow, so this guy sure know how to spit out nonsense. The way she was acting showed nothing but obviously the boys who came with Fumihiro will believe it. They do not think about it twice. Seeing that Isogai tried to persuade him.

"It's nothing like that Daichi-kun-"

"Hmm, that is the most thoughtless deduction I have seen. On a scale of one to ten I will not like to put it anywhere on the scale. Even a zero will be too much for it."

"So, what is the truth? Did something else happen?"

"Who knows?"

At that Fumihiro could not stop himself. He launched himself at me throwing punches. If we went by pure strength, those punches could easily faint anyone but they were all over the place. I kept dodging it.

"STOP IT DAICHI-KUN!!!!"

He did not listen. He kept coming at me. This was getting tiresome, I also wanted to eat my lunch. I grabbed his right fist and started to strengthen my grip. The pain he was in reflected on his face.

"Ahhhhhhh! You bastard, what are you?"

Everyone even Isogai was dumbstruck by the spectacle.

"When Isogai told you to stop, you should've stopped. I don't have any fun playing stupid game of yours. If you think I hurt her then let me tell you what I said to her today. I told her to not talk to me anymore and leave me alone. Do you think that will hurt her?"

None of the boys and Fumihiro could believe what I said. I let go of Fumihiro's hand.

"A line like that can only hurt a person if it came from a person dear to them. Do you think I am that kind of person to Isogai? If not, then stop bothering me. Now let me have my lunch peacefully. There is not much time left thanks to this game of yours."

After that I took my lunch and sat back at my seat. What happened now sure affected those boys as they exited the room. Everyone except for Isogai. She stood there with her head down looking at the floor.

I did not care too much and continued eating. Still tasted very good.

"Why would you say that?"

I heard a really slow voice as if someone was whispering but I heard it clearly. Isogai still looked at the floor. She slowly raised a head so that I could see her face. Her eyes were filled with tears. Oh god is she going to cry again?

I expected her to run out of the room like normally girls would do. It kind of became stereotypical now. Sorry to all the girls who don't do that. Instead she started walking towards me.

"Why would you say that Itsuki?"

Hearing my first name being called out, I stopped eating and looked towards her. She already started crying.

"Tell me why would you say that Itsuki?"

"I said a lot of stuff, which one are you talking about?"

"When you said that you are not dear to me."

"So, am I wrong? We are complete strangers."

"We were. Now you are my friend."

"Hmm, friend you say? On what basis did you assume that?"

"I did not assume, I decided. You have no say in this."

So this thing which concerns me has no say of mine. This was the most confusing thing I heard.

"So, now you are going to tell me why you said that to me."

"I don't think I have to answer it."

"You have to answer me Itsuki!"

This was the first time I saw Isogai like this. It would make anyone answer to her but I stared coldly at her and said,

"What can you do if I don't answer?"

"..."

"Is there anything you can do? Hurt me physically? Go on, try it. You saw what happened to Fumihiro. Socially? Unfortunate for you I do not have a social life. Mentally? I no longer care what other people think of me. I have lived like this for so long. You cannot do anything to me."

"..."

Seeing her silent I continued to my last sandwich. Just let me have this peacefully.

"What happened?"

Looks like my wish would not be granted.

"What happened to you Itsuki which turned you like this?

"Why do you want to know?"

"Will you tell me if I tell you the reason?"

"Depends on your answer."

Obviously it does not there is no way I am going to tell her, a person I met recently about my past. Does she have too much faith in the idea of "Humanity"? She really thinks that I am going to tell her. It was obvious by the look on her face.

"I want to know about it is because I am really interested in what kind of person you used to be because what you are now is not a normal high schooler. You give off a different aura in you. You are cold but also kind at sometimes. Calm but strong, rude but caring, composed but insecure."

Just how much did she notice about me? This girls observation skills are almost at my level. She could tell all that even when she is busy with other things on her mind. She really is strange. Seeing her observation I was also thrown back... She was correct for the most part. I guess I need to give her a reward.

"I like that answer Isogai..."

Hearing that her eyes were starting to fill with hope. Her expression became normal and she was about to smile.

"Too bad but I still cannot tell you about my past."

That came as a shock to her. She was really confused about what I just said.

"But I thought he said he will tell me."

She did that again. Please don't speak your mind to me all the time Isogai.

"I did but my past is not something I can tell anyone. Not even you or Haruka sensei."

Yes, that is how it was. I never told anyone about my past. No one in this town know about it and may never know about it. That is the way I want to keep it. Seeing her I felt a little sympathetic. Looks like I cannot get this girl off my shoulders really soon.

"But forget what I said to you in the morning. Pretend it never happened."

She looked at me in confusion.

"Wait, what does Itsuki mean? How can I pretend that it never happened? It came as a shock to me. I can never pretend it happened no matter what. I also don't know why I felt that. I am not in love with him or anything. Not even the tsundere one."

She does not realize I can still hear her. Well whatever, should stop her before it's too late.

"Do you really like doing that a lot..."

She still was thinking her mind out but this will stop her.

"...Ine"

Guess I hit bullseye. She looked at me with a flustered face. She face was all red like a tomato. It looked so like tomato that I wanted to cut her and make a good tomato sandwich. I do not mean that in actual way, just explaining her expression. Please to not call the police, I am no murderer.

"First... you are all rude to me and n-n-now... think calling me by my f-f-f-f-f-first name will solve everything?"

Obviously not everything what will solve everything will be my next action. I walked towards her and slowly bowed my head.

"Sorry, for all the rude things I told you. My past is a very sensitive topic and due to some reason I am remembering it all again. I am really sorry if I hurt you."

Seeing me like this she did something really unexpected. She jumped forward and started hugging me. This happened so fast that I could not get my train of thoughts on the right track. I stood still as her grip tightened. Not too tight, I just had lunch you know. Still half of my sandwich is left. I did not say anything.

When the bell rang Ine got back to her senses. She looked at me and immediately released me form her clenches. Her face was bright red. It was natural. She just hugged a boy she knew only for about a week. Also if that is your habit please stop it because it will cause you a lot of trouble later on.

"So, let's go back to class Ine."

She turned towards me with her eyes full of tears. Wow today was a cry fest for her. I walked forward and slowly wiped her tears off. Why did I do that? I have no idea. I guess it was a very gentleman thing to do? She did not stop me so what it the harm. I did not do it for any ulterior motives.

She stopped crying and then smiled again as bright as a day.

"Okay Itsuki."

Conclusion- I don't know why or how, but now we are on first name basis now.