Chapter 17

"The wind is blowing as usual, the sky is still out of my reach. Everyone is busy with their own work like always . If anyone has changed, it's only me . Two days have passed since that strange incident happened. But I don't know why it feels like . As if now I am living a different life than usual. It feels like a part of me is lost somewhere. " Inoue was talking to herself while cycling, looking up at the sky with a gentle smile on her face. (She was in her school uniform). On the way, her eyes went to the bank of the river. There was no one but her heart suddenly started beating loudly. Yet she kept on moving, ignoring that weird feeling.

As soon as she reached the school, keeping her cycle on the stand, she went towards the entrance. Standing in front of her locker, she was thinking about the bank of the river.  " Inoue..." Meanwhile someone startled her from behind . "Ah! Hina, Sato. Don't scare me like that." "Sorry Inoue we just wanted to see your scared face." Sato said with a loud laugh. "Don't involve me in all this, I was just standing here, you were the one who scared her," said Hina, crossing her arms. At least admit the fact that you too enjoyed seeing Inoue scared." "Shut up! . "Ah! I guess we should go to class now. It's almost time for our first class" Inoue intervened to stop their fight. Because other  students were staring and laughing at them . "Huh?" They were really angry. So, they glared at her . "Let's go..." Inoue said, dragging their collar from behind. "Ah, Inoue, we're feeling ashamed don't drag us like this. Everyone is staring at us." Oh ! So, now you both are getting embarrassed ? Keep on being ashamed like that." said Inoue with a smile .

They  all were stepping inside the class. And suddenly Inoue collided with Takemichi. "Aaa Inoue..." He murmured as he fell backwards. "Sorry Takemichi. I didn't see you." Inoue said in a trembling voice, extending her hand to help him stand. "Seeing Inoue's cute puppy face. He blushed and turned his head to hide his feelings." "I can stand on my own." "Oh! sorry..." she took her hand back "It's okay..." He replied, sweeping the dust off his uniform. "Ah! Takemichi...?" Inoue called him but before she could say anything . She paused in the midst . "Mm, what's up?" "No, it's nothing, " she replied . "What is it ? just say. We're friends after all." Hina said while placing her hand on her shoulder.  Sato did not say anything, just stood there looking at their faces. "Okay...Takemichi do you think something like this has happened to us before, I mean suddenly colliding with each other like this?" she asked "Do you think the same way? Yes it seems as if this is happening to us for the second time. But why can't we remember anything". After listening to him inoue was astonished "Hey, what are you all doing there! Miss Akane is coming. If you want to avoid her scolding, please take your seats." That witch. Why ? She was not going to take our class anymore, right ?  And where is Mr. Takahashi?" Takemichi cried out in fear." "I think we should take our seats," Hina opined. "Yes! Hurry up," said Sato, supporting her. Inoue sat down at her seat and remembered that Miss Akane would do anything to vent her anger on them. Because she was in the hospital for days. She may take a surprise test to calm herself down. She was really scared.

Miss Akane was coming. Since there was no one in the way of the hall. She was walking loudly, her footsteps were echoing. Every moment she took a step, the heartbeat of the students would increase fast. And finally she stepped inside the classroom with a creepy smile on her face. "Hello sweeties, how are you? It's been a long time, I've taught you something new. Don't worry, I'm back. I'll teach you new and appropriate ways to behave properly in class. Because I haven't forgotten yet. That I was admitted to the hospital because of you guys. I don't remember what happened that day. But I know it was all your fault. Now you will get the punishment." Her face looked so scary. Most of the students fainted on the spot. "She really looks like a witch today, isn't it ? " Takemichi whispered in Sato's ear. "Yeah. .yes" she replied quavering. And suddenly Hina noticed Inoue trembling  ​"Inoue... Inoue... Inoue" So she called her many times but she did not hear anything. Miss Akane marked Hina whispering from behind "Miss. Hina can you please stand up." "Shit! She caught her " Takemichi grumbled placing his hand on his forehead. "I will pray for you Hina," Sato murmured as she chewed her handkerchief. Hina was looking normal.  She stood up confidently. "So, you were talking in my class. You broke a rule. Now be prepared to be punished." "Oh sure," she replied. " as expected " Everyone wondered while looking her way . But Inoue blamed herself "it was all my fault " Her calm attitude actually fueled Miss, Akane's anger. "Okay solve it now." "Sure" 228,855 × 225,599 Tell me the exact answer to this question without using a calculator? Within 5 minutes" she asked raising her left brow" Mam... you call yourself a teacher. And asking me such simple question. Still it's okay, the answer is 51,629,459,145". " As expected from the top student in the class, " Takemichi murmured. Inoue was shocked to hear her answer but still she was happy. The other students used their calculators and whispered it's unbelievable.... Hina is absolutely correct. Looks like she is a super human " " I guess you yourself did not know the right answer to this question, didn't you ? Hina cackled. Miss, Akane was about to burst into anger but suddenly the principal entered the class with Miss, Lisa. "Miss Akane, What are you doing here?" he asked "What am I doing here? Sorry, I didn't get it . What do you want to say ? I am the math teacher of this class. So, I came here after I got discharged from the hospital." "Sorry Miss Akane. after you are admitted to the hospital. We hired a new teacher for this class. Because their studies were getting hampered. And the new teacher is really nice too. But since he is on leave for two days. Miss, Lisa will take their class. And from now on you will be a 10th C's Math teacher. They really need your help."

" But why didn't anyone tell me anything about it earlier? "Because you weren't well. But now that you're fine. We are glad to see you again." Let's go." said the principal, pulling her hand. As he was carrying her, he turned and smiled looking at Miss Lisa. And she smirked back . " Miss, Lisa you are a goddess." Suddenly the whole class burst into tears with joy and clamored . They were really overwhelmed. "Ah students please don't cry or shout. You don't want to see Miss, Akane again? Do you?" She smiled and said "No, not at all" they shouted with joy. "Oh! Looks like the elephant that was sitting on top of my chest has come down," Takemichi sighed. " You and your stupid jokes can never make anyone laugh" Sato murmured to herself while staring at him , she looked at Hina and asked "Hina are you really a human being?" "No, I am an alien from another planet. I have come here to rule this planet and eat people's brains. "The way she said all these things, actually frightened Sato." That means I was right, you are not normal," She said . Hina asked her to look towards Inoue , hitting her head " Don't you think she looks a little nervous today." "Yeah, I feel the same way," she replied, rubbing her head. "Ha...ha" Inoue  was trying  to smile. She was confused because whenever Miss, Akane tried to bully the students somebody has saved them. "Hey, Inoue..." Sato again startled her from behind. She turned back, placing her hands on her ears. "Is everything okay? Why do you look so sad and confused today?" Hina asked. " N..No it's all right, I was just thinking about Miss, Akane." she replied with a trembling voice. "Huh? About that witch. Don't worry about her. Now she'll never take our class, again" Hina patted her head.

" Hina is very generous and kind. She always cares for me" she said to herself, and felt overwhelmed. All of a sudden Miss, Lisa announced "Students, I think it's been a long time since you played outside in the field. So today if you want, you can go out and play for some time. As I have some work to complete. So, I'm going to the staff room. Feel free to come to me if you need any kind of help " After hearing Miss, Lisa, the students jumped with joy and expressed their gratitude "Thank you Miss, Lisa . You are the best teacher in the world ". As soon as they thanked her, they ran fast towards the ground.

Takemichi went to play basketball with the other boys, Hina and Sato decided to play volleyball, while Inoue sat down on a bench and said "I'll watch you play". Hina and Sato were busy hitting the ball. They were amazing players. When a ball came towards Hina, she jumped and gave it a soft blow. And it quickly flew back to the girl who sent it . And hit her very hard in the face. The way she tossed and stroked the ball, she looked more charming and endearing than usual . On seeing her, the eyes of the boys remained wide open, who were playing nearby." Hina you are awesome, keep going" Inoue smirked and cheered for her. She smiled back as she looked at her. They continued their game. Inoue was enjoying watching them play. And suddenly she looked up at the sky. Her eyes looked sad. It was as if she was longing for hope. Takemichi saw her sitting alone. So, he called another guy to cover for him. And walked over to her, he sat down next to her. "Inoue, aren't you going to play anything?" he asked. "Oh! Takemichi. No, I'm fine here. Sorry I didn't notice you." She replied looking at him. "Ha ! its, fine"he sighed" but what about you? Why are you here in the middle of your game?". Her question really made him nervous, his cheeks turned red because he was afraid, she might not guess that he was doing it all for her. So, to hide his feelings, he tried to distract her from that topic "Ah, the summer breaks will begin the day after tomorrow and tomorrow is also a holiday. So, have you decided? What are you supposed to do in between these holidays " " Ah! no not yet. " " Well if you don't have any plans. Then let's go out somewhere with Hina and Sato. on a trip? What do you think?" he asked excitedly while jumping . "Ah ! I think that's a good idea. But do you know of any place where we can go?" " "No, not yet but we can decide . Let's meet tomorrow at your house exactly 10 in the morning. Will it be okay?" "Yeah! Why not." "I'll tell Sato and Hina about it, all right." He said grinning and Inoue nodded.

At home

"Mom, I'm back" Inoue came home "Welcome home sweetie" Her mother greeted her and went back to the kitchen. While Inoue was taking off her shoes, she called out from the kitchen and said " Ichika, this afternoon Grandma called and she told me that you would spend your entire summer vacation there with her. So, if you're leaving, let her know by tomorrow." Grandma called, and she wants me to spend the holidays with her. I'll definitely go." She jumped with joy then remembered . She had already promised Takemichi to spend the holidays with him and the others. So, she became sad. "Ichika, what happened to you all of a sudden?" asked her mother coming towards her. "Nothing, I'm tired. I'm going to freshen up" "Oh well" "No one can understand this girl" She murmured while shooking her head .

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It was almost 8:30. The school was empty. The watchman was walking in the hallway with a torch in his hand . And, lighting the light in each classroom and checking whether everything was fine or not. Suddenly he heard some voices from the basement. He was scared. Still he went there to investigate the matter. He lit the light "Who is it?" His voice was trembling. He went ahead and reached the spot where Mr. Takahashi had defeated those two evil siblings. "A hole? it's too big. Who did all this?" He was shocked to see the hole made by Saki's Karochin "He felt something strange there so he decided to leave right away but a woman's broken arm pulled his leg. He screamed and started dashing towards the main door. He tried hard to make an escape but in the end he got caught.

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" Ichika..." "Yes mom" "Be sure to put all your dirty clothes inside the machine before you go to sleep. So that I can wash them tomorrow. " okay...". She went inside her room to pick them up. While she was bringing the clothes, a piece of paper fell down. She noticed that it came out of that stranger's coat. She picked it up and found something written on it , "You are not alone...I am here with you". Her eyes widened after reading that, she remembered reading the same thing somewhere else before. She ran to her bookshelf. And began to find it in every book. She found another piece of paper inside a book. "You are not alone, the same thing was written on that piece of paper as well." " It means the one who helped me is the same person who kept the food for me. On the day when mom and dad were not at home" She noticed that the writing style is the same and they were both written by the same person.  After knowing this, tears started flowing from her eyes.