Chapter 2: The transferee and something unexpected

Monday morning

Raia International School

The glares that I was receiving continued and kept increasing. All of this wouldn't had happened if my father didn't leak my contact information.

The glares then stopped when the homeroom teacher, Takahashi Rika-sensei, suddenly arrived. She then left for a brief moment and asked us to prepare for there was a transferee student joining our class.

With those things in mind, I can't help but think that Takahashi-sensei still looks boring as usual. With her wearing a round pair of glasses; she looks like a nerdy school girl. Her body figure is not worth mentioning at all. Her having such an undeveloped body despite being 32 years old is really unfortunate and not worth looking at. All of that including her round pair of glasses and green hair with a bun makes her look like an old hag.

The transferee student seemed popular, especially among the boys, because I noticed that most of my male classmates were excited to see her. I can even hear their chatter about the new student.

"Hey, have you heard? There's a beautiful female transferee with a cute short brown hairstyle," a male student said.

"Yeah, I've heard about her but she's not even my type. You know why? 'Cause I heard that she's flat as a board, another classmate of mine said. And it also seems that she's only here because of Arai-san. This morning, I saw her along with the female students who ran after him because of the broadcast. I could even say that she had managed to approach Arai-san since I think I saw them talking to each other near the gymnasium in Building C," my other classmate said.

"Hey! Flat is justice.", Another guy exclaimed.

As they were having their conversation, I can't help but eavesdrop on everything that they were saying. As i continued to listen, I eventually confirmed that they were talking about the new girl.

After that, the homeroom teacher suddenly arrived saying...

"Good morning everyone, here with me is Saiyuki Asahi. She will be joining our class starting this second week of our academic year. Now, please introduce yourself Saiyuki-san," Takahashi-sensei said.

The male students quietly started cheering and whispering*

"Bro, she really does look good despite being flat and all. And also, her hairstyle is shorter than what I had in mind," my classmate whispered.

"See! I told you. Flat is justice," another guy replied.

"Well, I can agree with you both there. Looking at her body proportions she does have a good waist. Despite being flat, her face does all the work. However, doesn't she look like a bit of a tomboy?" said the other guy.

And so I thought to myself...

I can't believe these idiots, of course she looks like that she is my butler after all. Even I got fooled by her the first time I saw her appearance.

my thoughts ended*

The female students started to sound disappointed*

Asahi-san started to introduce herself, "Uhm... I am S-Saiyuki Asahi. I live in Aoyama. I work for Tsuka-",

Before she could speak any further, I quickly tapped my table causing it to produce a loud bang. I just simply can't let my classmates learn about my history with Asahi-san that easily.

As I expected, the whole class' attention has shifted towards me. As their stares continue to point at me, I started to feel embarrassed and bad about myself.

After feeling all that embarrassment. I couldn't contain myself and so, I stood up and I walked. As I walked from the back of the room, from the window seat at the leftmost part, I stopped...

Takahashi-sensei questioned me*

"Uhm, is there something you want to talk about, Arai-san? Or perhaps, you want to tell something to Asahi-han?", Takahashi-sensei said in a suggestive tone.

Hearing all that from Takahashi-sensei. I realized that everything about my father's challenge is already widespread. It also seemed that my homeroom teacher knew about my misogyny. Because of that, I am left with only one choice and it is to strike the first move.

"Saiyuki. I mean Asahi is my... She's my... I mean... She is special to me", I stuttered like an idiot.

For the first time in my life. I had experienced such an embarrassing moment. But still, this is all according to what I had planned. I planned all of this when I was eavesdropping on those three students.

Several minutes earlier*

Right after what I heard about the description of the new student. I suddenly realized that it was Asahi that's transferring to our class. Considering that she was the only one who managed to get near me and talked to me. That's why I came up with this plan:

My plan is simple and this will serve as my first move. I will lie about everything. I will lie a lot about myself and I will lie about my feelings. If I do that, everything might change.

With the two weeks worth of time I have in my hand, I figured that is enough time to falsify my feelings. My lies might act as the truth in that lie detector test. All I have to do is, I must continue this fraud act of mine.

I have concluded that lies can be the truth and the truth can be lies. So, I guess I will lie my very best to reform myself within two weeks.

This will serve as my trump card. There are studies about lie detector tests. It is mentioned in that study that lie detector tests are only 70% accurate. That means that I have a 30% chance of making my lies become the truth. This will be enough for a wicked person like me. With this in my mind, I decided to lie about Asahi being a special person to me.

If I lie starting today and say that one woman is special to me, it might be considered as true in that lie detector test.

If I gather the whole class' attention, it will mean that I have a lot of witnesses to what I am going to say. That option seemed to be the most effective that's why I went on with it.

*Present time*

Everyone was surprised after hearing what I said. Including Asahi and Takahasi-sensei.

Claps*

"Wow that was a nice speech Arai-san", Takahasi-sensei said while clapping.

Asahi seemed overjoyed from what she just had heard. She couldn't contain her emotions so she proceeded to ask me.

"Are you sure about what you just said Arai-sama?" Asahi said happily with a smile.

"Yes, and I mean all of it my dear butler," I said with a fake smile.

"Is there anything you want to add Arai-san?"Takahasi-sensei asked.

"That's all I wanted to say Takahashi-sensei," I replied.

After all that, I walked back to where I was sitting. While walking back, I wanted to make sure that everything is at the grasp of my hand so I followed up a statement.

"Sometimes having a change is good for a person, am I right sensei?" I added.

"Of course it is," Takahashi-sensei replied with a suspicious smile.

After seeing that suspicious smile, I realized that Takahashi-sensei might be up to something fishy but I decided to just go with the flow. Well, at least for now.

"So, can you re-introduce yourself Saiyuki-san", Takahashi-sensei said.

"Yes," Asahi replied

"My name is Saiyuki Asahi. I live in Aoyama. I am Arai Tsukasa's personal butler and I seem to be special to him. I will gladly fulfill my duties to him and also my duties as a student," Asahi followed up happily.

"Okay. You may now sit wherever you want to. But, I do recommend you to sit beside Arai-san," Takahashi-sensei suggested.

Asahi chose to sit beside me just as what Takahashi-sensei suggested.

So I thought to myself...

Hmmm? What are you planning sensei?

Several hours later*

Time passed by and it's already dismissal time. I decided to kill some time in the school library before heading home. I also ordered Asahi to head straight home but to my surprise she didn't try to cling to me like all the other girls.

As I was reminiscing about the flow of events within this day, I can conclude that this day was full of mischief and hatred. All I can say is that this day was a complete hassle and really exhausting.

I tried my best to lie. As expected, the female students were trying to get my attention. I did my absolute best to reform what I had felt. Like what I have originally planned, I need to lie about my feelings and emotions towards women. That way I might be able to make that lie the truth.

Time has passed by and I have decided to go home. I stood up from where I was sitting and went to the library counter. I found these two books and I was intrigued by them. It was about Dazai Osamu's "No Longer Human" and Akutagawa Ryunosuke's "Portrait of Hell". Because of that, I have decided to borrow the two.

After I borrowed the books from our school library. I finally made up the motive to go home. As I was walking across the hallway. I noticed that someone is following me. So, I have decided to call his attention.

"Stop fooling around and show yourself", I said dominantly.

As the unknown person decided to show up, I was surprised that it was a male student from our school who appears to have a small figure than myself. I didn't know what his motives were but I thought he was going to question me about the challenge earlier that was heard from the broadcast. He was probably athe type of person who believes everything that he sees in the news. So, I decided to ask him.

"Why are you approaching me? If you have no business with me then go away! Who are you anyway?" I said with a threatening pose.

"Uhm? You're Arai Tsukasa right?" he asked timidly.

"I do believe that I was the one who asked a name and not you. You inferi-. Uhm, I mean, you intelligent being," I said ambiguously with a fake smile.

"I will gladly take your insult, sir! I am Watanabe Taro. Please forgive my ignorance," he said confidently.

"So, tell me. What is it that made you approach me?" I asked.

"I like someone close to you. Will you help me out?" he said.

"Well, I'm sorry. I'm not a cupid on duty. I'm more likely a devil than a love angel. I can't help people when it comes to that," I said wickedly with no hesitation.

"Please, I beg of you, I would really like to get to know more about that person," he pleaded.

After hearing what he said, I decided to just ignore him and continue walking my way home.

Steps approaching*

To my surprise, the idiot decided to run toward me and grabbed me by my right shoulder.

Swoosh*

After that, he pulled me. His pull managed to spin my body 180 degrees. Then, he held my tie and began panting.

Panting*

At that moment. We were facing each other. Looking at each other's eyes flooded with numerous inexpressible expression towards each other.

I was taller than him. I can clearly see his face from my point of view. I can see his glossy purple hair. He was so close, that I can see my own reflection in his purple eyes.

Judging from his looks and face, I began to appreciate his appearance. I eventually realized that he was indeed a beautiful man. While I was gazing upon his small stature and thin limbs, I was surprised that he managed to pull someone my size.

We were standing at the middle of the hallway. We were the only people there. There were no students walking around at that time. There a was a wall at my right side and we were looking at each other's figures for while. Then, I suddenly felt awkwardness so I decided to start talking.

Breathes heavily*

"Quit bothering me, will you?", I exclaimed at him with fiercely.

He was speechless and unable to talk. I was also getting annoyed so I started to taunt him. Hoping that it might scare. I decided to take a step towards him hoping that he will back down but he just took a step towards his left side.

Step*

I took another step towards him and he continued to take another step to his left.

Step*

My patience started to run out as we were just repeating our movements. The awkwardness grew worse so I quickly decided to take multiple steps towards him and to my surprise, he just kept on taking multiple steps towards his left.

Face palm*

Steps*

I eventually realized that after all those steps, we managed to close the distance towards the wall that was behind us. I was also getting really pissed off so I decided to pin him against it, making no room for him to escape.

We were both standing still against the wall facing each other. I was out of breath so, I decided to put my hand to rest. I was so tired, I just had to rest my right hand against the wall near his left shoulder. I didn't touch him. However, I was really out of breath and I began panting more.

Panting*

A few seconds passed by and it appeared to me that he still has no intention to speak up. That caused me to speak to him once again.

"State your business!" I shouted at him fiercely while I was still panting.

Panting*

He was really hesitant to speak and looked really terrified, he was unable to utter a single word. My patience has already ran out so I decided to slam the wall behind him with my left hand.

Slam*

He was really getting into my nerves.

He looked very surprised when I slammed the wall behind him. He was so shocked by the slam, I finally knocked some senses back in him. He then started to speak up.

"Uhm! Sorry, I was really surprised by what I did. I never knew that I waw able to muster up this amount of courage." he said while catching his breath.

Breathing heavily*

"Final chance. State your business!" I exclaimed one last time.

"Uhm! Let me introduce myself again. I am Watanabe Taro. I am from class 2-C. I am very pleased to meet you my senpai," he said timidly.

"You still haven't answered my question. You just lost your chance. Goodbye," I bid him farewell.

"Please, senpai. I just want to get to know Mae-," he said but I quickly interrupted him.

"Don't ever speak of those syllables again!" I said while I glared at him with a threatening pose.

Right after hearing those syllables, a flashback played in my mind. I had remembered a certain someone. Someone that was a part of me. Someone I knew. After what happened that day, I never wanted to hear the syllables "Ma" and "e" next to each other ever again... Hearing the sound of those words makes me remember something bad. Something really painful that it scarred me for life.

"I'm very sorry. I never knew you hated Maeda-sen-, I mean, Sara-senpai!" he said.

"Indeed. I do hate that b*tch. So, what do you want me to do for you?" I said calmly.

I realized that he did not intend to anger me or offend me in any way so I suppressed my anger and decided to give him one more chance.

"Okay, I will give you one more chance. Consider this as a special favor from me. You got lucky for you were "this" close before I vented out my wrath towards you." I said in a calm composure.

"My wish is to get to know her but it seems to me that there is some bad blood between the two of you," he said in hopeless manner.

"Like I said, consider this as a special favor. However, I really need to go so here, I suggest that you take this. That's my calling card. Written there is my private contact number. It's different from the ones publicized earlier," I told him in a serious tone.

"Wow, okay, I am honored." he thanked me happily with a smile.

After that we parted ways. I walked home alone as usual and tonight I was lucky enough that there were no women sneaking around to pounce on me.

Honestly, I was really hoping that my last year in Raia International School will be the best but then my father's abnormal challenge comes in and starts to lay waste on it.

Sigh*

As I arrived home the usual flow of events happened. The maids greeted me. My little sister seemed well. The chauffeur and aides looked fine with the exception of one person.

The only person that did not seem fine around me was Asahi. She was the only one that seemed to be beating around the bush. It also felt that she was distant to me when I arrived.

But I guess it's not my problem to solve.

Several hours later*

After taking a bath and having dinner with my little sister. I went up to my room to read the books I have borrowed from the school library. It was "No Longer Human" by Dazai Osamu to specify.

I also happened to daydream about myself and my current way of living as I was reading. I realized that I was very fortunate to express myself better than others.

My thoughts were...

Being a billionaire's heir doesn't mean that you are a billionaire yourself. Compared to other billionaire's heirs that I know, I am certain that I am the only one who's living in simplicity.

I borrow books like a normal person would borrow. I prefer to eat food similar to what a normal person would eat. I go to the shopping district similar to where a normal person would go. The only difference is that I don't like women like normal people do

In contrast to the book's protagonist, I think I'm still qualified as a human being. Qualified enough to express my hatred freely and being true to my own nature without worries. In addition, I am living with no holds barred.

End of thoughts*

I decided to read the "Portrait of Hell" by Akutagawa Ryuunosuke right after. Reading that book was a wrind decision and it was when everything started to fall apart.

My composure was gone. Literally gone. Then suddenly, I remembered everything. Everything that had occurred that "day."

Events in the book started playing in my mind. I started to imagine that certain "person" is with me in that book. I had imagined that certain "person" had to undergo the same fate as the daughter in the novel. Being watched as you burned down to ashes. Waiting for someone to save you from the agonizing pain.

I had also imagined me being there in the same place. But in my case, I was the one who was watching.

Watching that person dear to me slowly and painfully losing her "grip" as the situation worsened and worsened. Seeing her in despair. Seeing her vanish and fade before my very eyes.

The one who was my everything. The one whom I can share my feelings with. The one who showed me my true self.

That person was the owner of this pocket watch. The true reason why I am like this.

While reading that book, I started panicking. I was having a breakdown. Unable to do anything. Unable to decide what to do. It felt like being instantly disqualified as a human being. I forgot my true self. I forgot who I really am. All I can think of right now was what happened in that very "moment."

I wanted to scream. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Loud enough for someone to come and help me. But, it's strange, it felt like I didn't want any help at all. What I want is "her". I want "her" back. The owner of this pocket watch. I want "her" back.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!", I screamed in despair and pain.

Foot steps approaching*

I lost my consciousness right after. All that I can remember were the sounds of footsteps approaching. I also felt something odd. I can feel her touch and even heard her voice telling me something but it was inaudible. I want to call upon her name. A name that I would never ever forget.

"M-. Ma-. Mae-. Maer-. Maeru", I said softly as I lost my consciousness....

To be continued...