Wednesday (10/29/XX) 12:30PM
I spun my mechanical pencil as my friend stared into the distance. For the past several days, Akio hasn’t been himself. I noticed the change in behavior after he visited the school campus at night. Akio was never studious like our friend Ryunosuke, but it’s severely worsened. The way he absentmindedly looked at his paper or grumbled to himself and ruffled his pink hair made my chest clench with uneasiness.
I moved my gaze to our friend Ryunosuke, who had his full attention on the lecture. I admired how diligent and athletic he was, never failing to find balance in his life.
I furrowed my brows and hummed to myself. Maybe I’ll ask Ryunosuke if he knows what’s going on with Akio. I thought to myself.
After class, I went up to his desk and nudged him with my elbow.
“I’m not giving you answers to the homework this time.”
I scrunched my nose in irritation. “I’m not asking about that!” I leaned closer to Ryunosuke. “Is there something wrong with Akio lately?”
Ryunosuke shot a sideways glance. “Not that I know of.”
“Haven’t you noticed how dazed he’s been? His performance has been going down too at practice.”
“I suppose so.” Ryunosuke tilted his head.
I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t believe me, do you?”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I’m just surprised that you noticed these things. Especially coming from you.”
I pursed my lips. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ryunosuke looked up through his glasses. “You have the mind capacity of a rock.” I frowned. Ryunosuke chuckled, pushing up his glasses. “If it weren’t for your looks, people would pity you more for your idiocy.”
I tilted my head. “Huh?”
Ryunosuke shook his head and sighed. “Anyways,” he said, “I’m not sure what is going on with Akio either, but it would be in our best interest to keep an eye on him.”
I nodded and gave a thumbs-up. “Sounds good!”
Ryunosuke smirked, but I didn’t know why. He does that to me from time to time. When he does, he will either say an insult or start to think of one.
Less than a week later, strange events started to occur.
One of Akio’s items went missing and menacing death threats were found in his locker. After school that day I begged Akio for Ryunosuke and I to walk him home, but he was adamant about going alone.
“Akio, please! Let us stick with you!”
He brushed me off. “Sen, I’ll be fine. My house isn’t that far from the school.”
I pouted while holding onto my bag.
Ryunosuke pushed up his glasses with a serious expression. “Well, if you need anything, call one of us. Let’s go Sen.”
Akio waved bye before parting ways with us.
I sighed, wishing my friend would rely more on us. It gave me anxiety knowing there was someone out there with the intent of hurting Akio. I bit my cheek in nervousness. “I hope Akio will be safe.”
“I do too,” said Ryunosuke. “If anything were to happen to Akio or you…” He had a dark expression drawn on his face.
“You don’t have to worry about me, Ryu,” I reassured him. I smiled and glanced at his glowering face.
He looked at me over his shoulder and tilted his head down so that the glare of his glasses hid his eyes. “Well, you guys are precious to me.”
I laughed. “I’m glad you think of me like that as your friend.”
Ryunosuke blinked and scoffed with a smirk on his face. “I'll take it back.” He began to briskly walk away.
“Hey! Wait up!” I called after Ryunosuke as he continued to move without me. I quickly ran up to catch up with him.
On our way home, we stopped at the convenience store to grab some snacks. I got a rice ball while Ryunosuke got a yogurt shake.
I hummed while chewing on the crisp seaweed. “Do you think it's someone we know?”
Without needing context, Ryunosuke shrugged. “It could be anyone.”
“Even a ghost?” I taunted, raising my arms above my head.
He rolled his eyes. “You and your strange imaginations.”
“I mean, there's a possibility, right?”
Ryunosuke glanced at me, chugging down the last of his drink. “Sure.” He wiped his mouth with a smile, leaving me clueless and confused as usual.
-
“He got death threats at school today.”
“I know.”
“Of course you do.” I sneered.
The vampire was leaning against the wall of one of the hallways, hands in his pants pockets. It irked me how possessive and arrogant vampires can get. Although Nikolas and I are merely classmates, I know enough about him to know he wasn't the same as the other vampire assholes that attend our school. With that in mind, I somewhat trusted Akio in his care. Still, I kept a mental note to myself to keep an eye on him.
“Well,” I said while pushing up my glasses. “That is all. I have a spellcasting exam in three minutes.”
Nikolas nodded and walked down the hall in the opposite direction.
I let out a heavy sigh as I pushed back the black fringe that was partially covering my eyes.
I need to stop meddling in their love story. I clenched my spellbook. But I fucking despise vampires. I shook my head. I shouldn’t be thinking about them right now. I have other things on my mind to take care of. I scolded myself as I stepped toward my next classroom.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOENBvUmNA
