3

Contrary to my high hopes, nothing really exciting happened over the next couple of days. Life just continued on like it had before Lily talked to me. Even the classmate behind me reverted back to barely speaking with me. Maybe Lily really only wanted to know my name and there weren't any hidden motives behind her question.

As the days passed uneventfully, I started slipping back into my old rhythm of life. Wake up, eat breakfast, walk to school, ignore everyone at school, walk to cram school, ignore everyone at cram school, drop by the computer cafe if I have time, walk home, eat dinner, do homework, play games once more, go to bed, and repeat. Every day was the exact same. Everything was just as it used to be.

Except for one thing: Lily.

Even if the majority of my life had regressed back to how it had been before she interrupted my peaceful (albeit lonely) life, there was no mistaking the covert glances in my direction, the way she avoided eye contact with me whenever our eyes met, the subtle flush that would color her cheeks whenever our eyes locked.

296 days now hover over her head. No surprise about that. After all, it's not like time will stop for anybody. Surprisingly as well, the couple I saw on the roof was also in my classroom. The 9 days above the young girl had now become a 5. This gift is more of a curse per se, but this gift was gifted to the wrong person. Like I said previously, meddling with someone else's life is just something I wouldn't do. It's a simple rule.

"...y. Hey. Hello? Anyone in here?"

Faintly I heard someone calling my name. My head snapped up.

"Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought."

Staring into the hazel eyes that suddenly dropped into my view, I noticed those hazel eyes were Lily's.

"AH! Ahem...sorry."

"Haha, you just noticed? You must've been pretty out of it. You're normally a pretty observant person."

"Oh? How would you know that?"

"I-It's just obvious!"

"…"

Subtly avoiding the question in this way, she cleared her throat.

"Anyways- what were you saying to me?"

"I was just wondering if you were free after school today-"

I, who had been turning away, froze. She made a cheerful face, as though she wanted to add more to what she said. Hmm, now that I think about it, I've never really expressed any sort of cheerfulness on my face (apart from when new games are released of course).

"-but honestly, I just wanted to get to know Mr. Mysterious over here."

"What do you mean?"

"So, are you free after school?"

"Ahh, sorry. I have to help my mom mow the lawn when I get home."

"...that was a lie, wasn't it?"

"...And if it is?"

"Gotcha...I'll see you later at the gates of the school then!"

Having said that, without asking for my acknowledgement, she walked away from my desk, waving as she exited the classroom doors.

Without returning the gesture, I turned back towards the window and once more gazed upon the frosty sky.

It was peaceful--but only on the outside. Inside...I was running simulations in my brain for this brand new game I got. The final boss in there is seriously strong. He has crazy high defense, and his HP level is no joke. Then, as if that wasn't enough, literally every one of his attacks is a critical hit and he has speeds that almost rival the speed of light. Those developers really went hardcore on his programming. I bet I could get a serious XP boost by beating him (and I need it). I've been stuck at level 97 for the past few days. Just can't level up anymore for some reason. Doesn't matter how many monsters I kill. That XP gauge barely moves a millimeter towards my next level up.

Anyways...I digress. I guess you could say that the only thing filling my head at school is games. Then again, I only ever think about playing games when I return home too...well that and the occasional "will I have to move again?" It's stupid pondering something you can't control, but you never know. Never hurts to be prepared. After all, moving is such a hassle.

My trance was once again interrupted by my classmate who sits behind me. Poking my back with the eraser end of his pencil to grab my attention. I'd prefer not to digress again, but he's like an NPC in my life. NPC 1 maybe. I can just imagine him as one of those annoying NPCs who give you the most random and irrelevant quests. He fits the criteria perfectly.

His booming voice once again ruptured my sensitive eardrums. In all honesty, I quite despise his presence. I only took the seat next to the window because the view of the outside was quite nice; better than the view in class at least.

"Yo! Yo! YO! Rumors've been spreading ...andddd I just wanna ask...YOU'RE GOING ON A DATE WITH LILY? LIKE- THE LILY EVERGREEN? THAT LILY?"

His loud voice was the complete opposite of the peaceful quiet my ears needed. I turned to face him. Hesitant to even say anything, I merely gave him a lost stare.

"...Or did I hear wrong…Nahhhh I'm sure I heard it right! You're going on a date right? RIGHT???"

I just continued to look at him blankly.

"Hmm...did I really hear wrong? I'm sure I heard it rig-"

His voice started to blend into the background as I tuned him out. Rumors? Psh. I don't really care about all the "he said this," "she said that" nonsense. It'll all die down in due time.

"...Hello? ...Hello?"

His obnoxious voice gradually faded back into my ears. As my eyes focused, I found his gigantic hand waving in front of my face.

"Ah- sorry I was dozing off."

"You should gimme some answers ya know? I wanna know about it and to be honest I have questions on why Lily would ask YOU ou-"

His words were cut off by the sound of the loud school bell. Literally saved by the bell. It rang throughout the school, and NPC 1 slumped down into his chair with a look of disappointment on his face.

"We'll talk about this after school."

He sighed and took out his notebook. I do give him credit though; he actually does his work in class (unlike a certain person you know). A pretty decent student. Not a straight A+ student, but not a delinquent either...contrary to his appearance (no offense to him).

The classroom and hallways were noisy with students returning to their classes. Math time. Guess I'll just doodle throughout the entire period again. Maybe I'll draw a lily. They're pretty flowers.

I looked at my picture with satisfaction.

Pretty decent if I say so myself. I'd say that's a decent use of the hour.

I glanced up to see what was written on the chalkboard in front of the class, but to no avail: I could not understand a single thing on that board. Everyone else seemed to have been focused on writing down notes and phrases while I was merely doodling as if it was art class.

My teacher, Mr. Tsun, was a fairly quiet teacher. Appearance-wise, he's a middle-aged man, probably in his early 40s or late 30s. The time stamp on his head states another 33 years, so it's safe to say he will have a good life.

My eyes went back to my drawing. I sort of like it. It was simple, yet complex. It suddenly hit me--I drew a lily flower. Out of all things I could've drawn, I chose to draw a Lily. Was my own mind playing tricks on me? Clearly, it was a mere coincidence I supposedly drew a lily flower...right? I took a quick glance in Lily's direction, and her pencil was flitting across the pages of her notebook just like the other students in the class.

296 days still float above her head. I wonder what the cause of her death will be. That's one of the downsides of my "power." I really don't know how people will die; I only know when they will die.

Lily looked in my direction and we made eye contact with one another. Surprised, I quickly averted my eyes. Potentially it might've looked as if I was admiring her (I obviously wasn't), but don't get any ideas. My eyes only coincidentally drifted in her direction. Key word: coincidentally.

It really is stressful to think about all the misunderstandings that high schoolers can make up from just a simple glance.

While I was deep in thought, the school bell rang for the final time; once again interrupting my thoughts. School is finally over. Today is also my lucky day since I don't have any cleaning duty today. I can actually go home now. Everyone started packing their notebooks and pencils away in their school bags and slowly filtered out of the classroom while chatting about their plans for the rest of the day.

While I was watching my classmates leave the classroom, Lily miraculously snuck up to my desk. In the after-school chaos, I didn't even notice her coming over.

No words were spoken though. Just a little wave, nod, and wink, then out the door she went. Skipping all the way.

The warm, golden sunlight filtered through the school windows and warmed the air around me. I basked in the warmth for a little bit. It felt so peaceful compared to the hustle and bustle of normal life.

I grabbed my school bag and joined the crowd. My head started throbbing. Too many people, and too many numbers in my face. I lowered my head as I went down the stairs to the first floor.

Once I reached my shoe locker, I replaced my school shoes with sneakers. Didn't see Lily anywhere, but she did say to meet at the front gate of the school.

Walking my way towards the gate, I finally found Lily's brown hair floating in the wind as she gazed at the trees which symmetrically lined the entrance pathway of our school.

I paused. Slowly I placed two fingers on the side of my neck to make sure that I was still alive. This isn't really happening, right? Before I could chicken out of it, I slapped my cheeks with both hands. Hard.

I stand corrected; it IS happening.

Walking to the beat of my heart, my mood was ruined as I felt my transient life beginning to tremble against my will. The evening breeze ruffled my hair, distracting me from my thoughts.

Lily saw me walk towards her, and started waving me down.

"Over here!"

I walked towards her. Her eyes shone a light hazel in the fading light of the afternoon sun.

"Shall we go, Mr. Mysterious?"

"Doesn't seem like I have much of a choice anyway. Lead the way."

Donning her bright smile, she marched forward and I followed right behind. To be honest, maybe just a little, I was starting to look forward to our outing today.

Maybe this time someone will accept me. Maybe I won't have to hide anymore. If Lily can spend this much effort to get to know an outcast, maybe she'll see who I really am.