Reincarnation [2]

Most people lucid dream to escape reality and have fun—kind of like video games. But unlike them, I do it to challenge my mind, creating countless scenarios and going through them.

I learn from others' shortcomings, even the slightest bits of them, whether it be movie characters or anime characters; I learn everything from them, honing my mind for various situations.

I have long since adopted this mindset when I first knew the difference between right and wrong—around five years old give or take.

With that said, I can't seem to find the thrill in this life driven by a meritocracy. Perhaps it's because of my introverted personality. Life just seems bland and...forced...

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Two weeks passed, and my nephews returned to their father.

It was currently early in the morning, 4:53 a.m., as I prepared to go to school.

The reason for going this early was pretty obvious actually. First, there was no sunlight which meant no heat too, and I carried my school bag which was heavy for me.

And most importantly, to avoid conspicuous eyes and the pain of having to be self-conscious around other people. What can I say? I was an introvert after all.

Finally in school, but I stood before my second worst enemy—the stairs. When I was in my first year, I didn't have to face such an enemy, but now... It seemed inevitable that I would face them every time I went to the classroom.

'...I also face them at home...'

As for why they're such a fearsome foe, although I temper my mind, I can't say the same for my untrained body. So, my knees would always ache, backed up by the extra weight on my side as I walked up the stairs.

Luckily, there was no one to observe my pathetic hardships. I went to class 2B, with my head held high for my victory over the stairs!

I sat at the desk which was at the far back, adjacent to the doors, and encircled my arms to rest my head in them.

After two hours or so, students slowly popped up in small numbers as the classroom gradually got filled with idle chatter, talking about their wonderful experiences over summer vacation.

Another hour later, the classroom was already full of happy classmates, and they all settled down like still water when the homeroom teacher showed up, and I slowly raised my head.

Mr Verschmitzt, our homeroom teacher, is an English teacher from Germany. He's the kind of teacher who is popular with students; tender, affectionate, and caring.

He has good looks too; asymmetrical blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a well-defined jawline. I bet he was a pretty boy when he was around our age.

"I welcome you all back," he began, standing behind the desk with his bright smile, "But sadly, I have bad news."

My classmates erupted.

"Bad news?!"

"Tell us! What happened?!"

"We hope it's not anything serious!"

Well, I have a hunch about the bad news he bears. Considering his usual personality, the bad news may be something we students consider to be bad news... Yeah, something like tests...

"Ahem! Now, now. Quiet down," he took a moment of pause, "All of you will be writing a quiz next week."

The great revelation befell my classmates like a comet.

"AHHHHH!"

"What?! A quiz?!"

"I don't even remember what we learned first semester!"

It must be really bad news for some students. But I plan on leaving this world this week...

After thirty minutes of reviewing what we did in English, Mr Verschmitzt left the classroom as the first period was about to commence...

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It was now lunchtime, 1:40 p.m., and all my classmates were out as I remained alone. I sank my head in my circled arms.

Honestly, I was too lazy to face the stairs again to go to the cafeteria. And besides, the heat was already killing me. Also, eating once a day became a habit...

A few minutes later, I heard the sound of a chair being dragged across the floor...

"Bryan-senpai!"

Then a cheerful voice resounded in the classroom.

I raised my head from my folded arms and looked at her.

She had black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.

Her name is Linda, age 15, and my kouhai.

"How was your vacation?!"

Just judging by her jovial tone of voice, she's a free-spirited person. The kind which always brightens the moon.

"It was good...?" I gave a vague reply. 

"Really?! You don't sound very happy about it!"

...I don't think there was a day she missed coming and chatting with me ever since she knew I existed.

"You never smile at all!"

She's a boarding student and has average grades.

"...Anime makes me smile."

Yeah, that was a flat-out lie. I don't even remember smiling. I said that in hopes of lessening her interest in me as I thought girls were repellent to guys who watch anime.

"*gasp*" She covered her mouth with her right hand, "Really?! Is anime that good?!" she exclaimed in surprise.

'...I shouldn't have said that...' I lamented.

I thought lightly of her feelings toward me.

For a person who is never smiling like me, to her, anime might sound like something incredible.

"...Are you first years writing a quiz next week?" I changed the direction of the topic.

She has a boyfriend, mind you. Well, not really a boyfriend. Let's just say a female boarding student needs some kind of security insurance against oppression, theft, and the like.

Oh, her boyfriend is a second-year student by the way—Class 2C.

"No? Are you, senpai?"

I always found her bright eyes and smile to be cute and soothing.

"I'm afraid so..."

"Don't worry! Senpai is smart! I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake!" she encouraged, giving me a thumbs up.

"...Yeah, thanks."

Following my words, she leaned forward, placed her elbows on my desk, and cupped her cheeks with her hands as she giggled.

After a few seconds of silence, I noticed that she was intensely studying my face.

"...What's wrong?" I decided to ask, breaking the silence.

"Oh...! Uhh... Um... I-It's nothing..." she waved her hands and her cheeks slightly reddened.

Hmm... Quite the flustered response.

"I-It's just that..." her cheerful tone got replaced by a soft one as she continued, "...You're ha-handsome..." avoiding eye contact.

I appreciated the compliment.

She's just an unlucky girl who managed to fall for my hidden charm...

"...And seem so lonely..." she added.

'Hmm... What's she getting at...?'

Did she think she could sate my loneliness? Not that I had any. From her point of view, I must be a gloomy-looking guy with no friends to speak with.

"...I'm not lonely at all."

"Oh! Um, I'm sorry about that!" she said as she scratched the back of her head, a smile on her face.

My words seemed to have broken her out of her trance, and her cheerful voice returned.

"I heard you were once fat! Is it true?!"

'Where did she hear THAT...?'

...The fact that she heard that from someone meant some students paid attention to me to a certain extent.

"Pretty much..." I said in response.

"Wow! I almost couldn't believe it! Like, you have feminine features?" she said, looking at my slender arms.

'Not you too! Why do people say I have feminine features?!' I inwardly voiced my complaints.

Well, not that I blamed them. The last time I checked, I had rather long eyelashes, and my skin was unusually white (Probably from staying indoors too much).

Anyway, we had idle chatter for a couple more minutes. Well, it was mostly Linda who kept the conversation going, and I thank her for it.

She's the one who makes my school days less bland and more lively.

A normal student would have already taken the chance and conveyed their love toward her. I mean, why else would a fine-looking girl such as her waste her time with me? And I bet she was pretty popular among the first years.

Her feelings toward me had long reached my heart for the first week she met me. And she probably doesn't know that I'm aware of her titillations...

So, what stops me from confessing? If I did, she would certainly reciprocate her feelings. Well...

"...Hey, Linda. Can I ask you a favour"

This was going to be the first and last favour I ask of her.

"You can ask me any favour you want!" she beamed.

"...Can I pet your head?"

Yeah, that might certainly creep out an ordinary girl. But she was different. To her, this was a romantic favour from her crush, so I knew she would consent, and that was why I asked.

"...Yes."

She agreed, pulling back her hair behind her right ear. I noticed that her exposed ear and cheeks were beet red.

She closed her eyes in anticipation as I extended my right hand and felt her well-conditioned hair.

'...This should sustain her long enough.'

My death would certainly cause a tremendous shock to her heart.

I had thought I would die this week which meant I had time, but considering Linda's feelings, I would just multiply her pain if I stuck around any longer.

So this head pat would at least prevent her from committing suicide. Yeah, that's how deep her feelings are. But with my capabilities, I can't prevent her from suffering from depression...

"...I still can't believe we're writing a quiz next week!"

"Stop talking about depressing stuff! Wasn't today's menu at the cafeteria amazing?!"

"Yeah! I thought so too!"

During Linda's wonderful time, a trio of girls entered the classroom, and I returned my hand.

"I guess this is my cue. See you later, senpai!"

Linda stood up with a beaming face, returned the chair to its rightful desk, and left, giving me a wave of goodbye.

"...Yeah, see you later." I inwardly smiled as I gave a sloppy wave.