Operation Proximity

Targets were always the first step. It was common knowledge, in any heist film you heard the target first and the plan later.

The juice of the story was in the plans.

I sat with my chin resting on my hand, my fingers laced together. 

"Kukukuku…"

[What are you upto now, host?]

"Not host. Call me the mastermind behind all human relationships"

[You read one article—Haah… fine.]

"I didn't just read an article, fool. I have also read Machiavelli! I read Machiavelli before anything else since I could use him in Reversal."

[So, what kind of machiavellist scheme have you come up with? Please don't say something like 'all of you are tools to my victory' or 'as long as I win, that's all that matters']

I flinched from the second-hand embarrassment that the System exuded. I thought cringe teen syndrome was exclusive to humans, but the system could deal damage with it too.

"I won't. It's just that talking doesn't seem to be working, so I am going to do something else to become friends with Nash."

Nash was, of course, my first target. It was simply because he was an easy target. In my school-life before, I would usually just go with my days talking to the ones that talked to me first.

I was always the responder, never the initiator. Maybe this was also part of why the system wanted me to get ten backstories? 

[So, if not talking, what will you do?]

"Proximity is a conversation, and that guy sits right next to me…]

***

The next day, class began. Our first lecture was going to be mathematics.

I took a quick look in my bag, though my textbook was inside, this was my chance to fake things.

This was my chance, operation proximity. The plan was simple, I could almost see it play out with stick figures in my head.

Step one. Act like I forgot my book.

Step two. Shift my desk near Nash's and share his book.

Step three. ???

Step four. Friendship success!

It was an infallible plan.

"Students, please flip over to page 17."

The moment of truth was here. My gaze lingered on my desk as I took in a deep breath. This was the start of a memorable connection, finally a worthy friend, our camaraderie would be legendary!

"Nash—" I flipped my head to the side with all the pizzazz I could muster… and my words got stuck in my throat.

It seemed Nash didn't bring his book either… and was sharing with the guy sitting on the left side.

The two of them glanced at me and nodded before turning back to the book. 

That third seat, he was bald. His head shined under the light and sent a ray straight to my eyes, as if mocking me over my failure.

Fucking baldie. I won't forget this one.

***

Even though the first round of the operation failed, it wasn't really a problem. My trick hadn't been revealed.

That meant I could try again. The next lecture was physics, another subject that needed a textbook.

As soon as the teacher swooped in, I took the chance to turn to my side. I wasn't going to let the baldie get ahead this time.

"Nash!" I hissed. The bespectacled friend timidly flinched.

"Edward…? What happened?"

Yes! It was working! With an excited smile, I continued. "I forgot my physics textbook, mind if we share?"

[Who smiles like an idiot while saying that?]

I ignored the system and looked at Nash. He bloomed into a smile too, as if he was waiting for me to ask.

"No problems!" Nash reached into his bag and… pulled out two physics textbooks. "I brought an extra physics book instead of math. You can take this one."

"Huh…?"

"You can have it, don't worry."

Nash placed the textbook on my desk and turned back to the board. I was left stunned.

[Pfft… Haha! Hahahah! Hahaahahah!]

Who…

Who keeps two of the same textbook?

***

In the end my attempts ended in complete failures. 

Lunchtime rolled up and almost every student left the classroom. Every student except me, and Nash.

"Brought your own?" I asked him.

"Oh, yeah. I usually get my own lunch. You too?"

"It's just leftovers, nothing big."

The two of us nodded and began eating. But since there was no one else in the classroom, the sense of Camaraderie that I was trying to establish came floating in on its own.

With no one around, even sitting one bench away was close enough to feel familiar.

Nash finished up first and was about to head out of the classroom, but waited by the door, staring in my direction.

[Oh… it worked…?]

I quickly downed the last few bites, packed my lunch box in and rushed over to the door, the two of us stepped out together to go wash our hands and maybe get something to drink from the vending machine.

Of course, without sharing any words.

Operation Proximity ended up being a success, in a way I didn't expect.

***

Before going back home, I stopped by the library again.

"The Prince… The Prince…"

I was moving my hand through the philosophy section, when a voice called out to me from behind.

"Gave up on Epictetus already?" 

I turned around and found the same scary girl from yesterday. 

The second meeting I thought would never happen came sooner than I could expect.