Chapter Two - A Colloquy of The Devil and Martians

After school, I walked back home and Miu got a ride back home from her mother. I wanted to say goodbye to her when she was in her car, but Miu was adamant about just saying goodbye outside of school. I thought it was a bit odd, but I just let it slide. Before we said our goodbyes, we exchanged contacts and followed each other on social media.

Normally, I would spend my time at home studying or playing video games. But tonight I can't help but think about Miu and our conversation. It's been so long since I've been able to talk to someone like that. The last time I conversed with someone like that was… I don't remember when.

Well, since Miu is all I can think about right now, might as well masturbate to her since I have nothing else to do. I check her Instagram and begin touching myself to her photos. She does have humongous breasts. Then suddenly—

Ring-ring. Ring-ring

I check my phone and see that it's Miu calling. What perfect timing. I pick up the phone, "Hey Tsubasa. It's me, Miu. Wait a minute. My empath senses are telling me that you were having naughty thoughts of me. Were you doing something perverted to the thought of me?"

How the hell does she know these things? I just have to play it cool. "Why would I waste my time masturbating to someone with such small breasts." Good, I hope I killed the thought that she had of me.

"Small breasts? How rude. And to say I was just about to send you a picture of them." Damn it, I ruined a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "Well, anyways, I just wanted to call you and chit-chat with you for a bit. School would've been a bore if it weren't for you. Thanks for talking to me during—"

"It's whatever. You helped alleviate some boredom, too, so no need to thank me."

"Well, anyways. I wanted to tell you about this poem that I really like." A poem? She called me just so she could tell me a poem. "The poem goes…"

"The Brain—is wider than the Sky—

For—put them side by side—

The one the other will contain

With ease—and You—beside—

The Brain is deeper than the sea—

For—hold them—Blue to Blue—

The one the other will absorb—

As Sponges—Buckets—do—

The Brain is just the weight of God—

For—Heft them—Pound for Pound—

And they will differ—if they do—

As Syllable from Sound—"

"This poem was written by Emily Dickinson. She's one of my favorite poets. What do you think about the beauty of this poem?"

The "beauty" of this poem, she says. "Hmm. I don't really know much about poems. But to me, this poem describes just how powerful the mind is. The brain is wider than the sky. The brain is deeper than the sea. The brain is just the weight of God, just not as infinite."

"That's exactly what I think of the poem as well! Here's a thought exercise, Tsubasa. Do you have any proof that you're talking to the person named Miu?"

Do I have any proof I'm talking to Miu? What type of stupid question is that? "Of course, I'm talking to you. We're on a phone call together right now, who else would I be talking to?"

"To the Devil."

"To the Devil? What does that even mean?"

"What if you're talking to the Devil that's mimicking the voice of Miu?"

"That's completely foolish! The Devil doesn't exist in the real world!"

"Prove it."

"How can I prove something like that?"

"You can search the entire Earth until you've left no spot unchecked. But let's say you did do that and you didn't find the Devil. That's not enough proof that there is no Devil. That just means you were never able to find it."

"Then how am I supposed to prove that the Devil doesn't exist? Wait. So you can claim that the Devil does exist, and if I were to ask for proof, you can say just because you've never seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist?"

"Exactly! This dilemma is called the Devil's Proof. Just because you don't see something, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. And just because you don't see something doesn't mean it does exist. The truth is something that can never be absolute."

"Respectfully, Miu, I'd have to disagree with you. The truth of numbers is always absolute. Two plus two is always four. You can say two plus two is three, but you would be incorrect. Everyone who knows the fact of two plus two equalling four would always disagree with you."

"Who's the one that told you that two plus two is four? What if it was a Martian who implanted your knowledge of math into your brain and that's why you think two plus two is four? Hell, what if every single thing you know was just fabricated in your mind by said Martian last Thursday and that's why you think two plus two is four?"

"Just what the hell are you talking about!? First the Devil and now Martians!?"

"What I'm talking about is the mind's ability to imagine. Let's be real, we both know that the Devil and Martians don't actually exist. But we can imagine them existing. And to those who imagine them existing, they are real to them. Just like how you learned two plus two equals, someone on the other side of the world could've learned that two plus two equals three. Numbers are just symbols, after all. Who are you to say that you're right and they're wrong?"

This is the first time someone has ever challenged me as much as Miu has been doing right now. This topic is something that I never gave the time of day to think about.

"Anyway, tomorrow I'd like you to share something with me, just liked how I shared that poem with you. Although I want to, I've never been able to get closer to others. I know I said that as long as I open my heart up to people I'll be able to experience happiness. But at the same time, I'm scared of getting close to others. What if they don't like me, you know? But with you, I feel like I can be my true self. Thank you, Tsubasa. You truly are a chad."

"You know you didn't need to add that last part, right? Anyways, I should be the one thanking you."

"How about we both thank and appreciate each other?"

"Sure. Sounds good."

"Thank you for conversing with me once again. Let's hang out again tomorrow during—"

"I'd like that. Sorry. I have to go. Goodbye, and goodnight to you."

"Goodbye and goodnight to you, too."

As our call ends, I realize that I never took my hand out of my pants.