The Talk
She looked at me in silence, with that classic poker face making a comeback. I wait for her at the door without saying anything, just staring away. Maybe I should break the silence?
She got up. Thankfully, I didn’t have to break my strongest ally. Her walking was nervous.
“Hello.”, she said, almost timidly.
“Hi…”, I replied back, attacking her with a lot of awkwardness.
“Let’s go to the roof.”, I added. Might as well finish this where we started.
I could sense her walking behind me. Looking back, her hands were fidgeting. Each step on the stairs felt like two, good for exercise yes, if only it wasn’t a feeling. The door was soon right near us, I opened the gate and sunlight attacked my eyes. No better time than now to use my hand as shield. I turn back and see Nari looking down. I did not want this. I doubt she did either.
“I’m sorry… for running yesterday.”
She looked up at me, “No... No, I’m sorry for not respecting your boundaries.”
“This manga was what kept me going…”, her shoulders slumped, “Especially Akari…” tears welling up, “He was my favourite and seeing him come alive right in front of me made me extremely happy.”, her face gave way for a soft smile.
“I just didn’t want to believe that you weren’t Nari… I’m sorry.”
Well, now we’re making progress. I don’t think saying it’s fine would be correct here though…
So I just said, “Hmm.”, that should do the trick.
“You’re not Akari.”, she replied. Finally! Someone gets it!
“You’re right! I’m not!”, I smiled.
She looked like she was slightly taken back, “Then…”, she took a moment to catch her break and walked towards me, “What is your name?”
Should I tell her that?
“No.”
“No?”, she looked at me all puzzled. Yes, no.
“No.”, I back off slightly and smile, “You have to earn the knowledge of my real name after all this!”
She pouted, “So you haven’t forgiven me?”,
“It is what it is.”, I shrug.
Nari turned her back towards me, I thought she was going to walk away but instead she just spoke again, “You’re really not Akari…”
“Yes! That’s what I was saying yesterday! Better late than never, you know?”, I smile.
“But you remind me so much of him…”, she looked back towards me, with tears welling up in her eyes.
“Is it the face?”, I motion both of my hands and point towards my face in an exaggerated manner.
“Yes…”, she turned her face back again. Looks like she’s truly not over it and still needs time to work this through. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages at the moment. Might as well help her out and keep talking.
“Alright.”, she looked at me as soon as I said that. “When does the next arc start?”, I added.
“I won’t tell you that”, she replied. But why? Maybe she doesn’t get the issue.
“I have a suspicion… You said that the manga was on indefinite hiatus right? So If we maybe complete it then we can get out of here.”, I explained as best as I could. Expecting her to agree with me, I looked at her with anticipation but all I could see was a frown.
“No… speak for yourself.”, she turned away again. “I have no intention of ever leaving this place.”, is this because it’s her favourite manga? Maybe her life back in the original world was not good, I can’t really ask her that considering that it’s way too personal and I kind of don’t want to either.
“And… besides…”, she turned back to face me, “What good will knowing the future arcs do? You just have to complete the story as it is.”
She has a point but, “I’m not Akari. I don’t have his skills, nor his charisma.”, I slump my shoulders, “I need time to prepare…”
“Alright.”, what? She agreed a little too quickly there. “On one condition…”, of course, wouldn’t expect anything less.
“Can I stare at your face whenever I want to?”, why would she ask me permission for that? Why would she even tell me that? Why am I even here?
“That… is not my permission to give…”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”, she smiled. That wasn’t a yes. Alright, fine. I can probably ignore this but she’s not going to change this easily or even change at all for the matter from the looks of it.
I cross my arms, “So, what’s the next arc?”
She smiled and looked proud, “The class representative selection arc!”
Starting with the hard hitting stuff already. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve seen most stories to spend more than a chapter for this, let alone an entire arc.
“It lasts for more than a chapter?”, I had to make sure.
She nodded her smile never vanishing, “Yes! Hinata and Mary battle it out after both get nominated to be the representation.”
So Mary was a named character. I kind of feel disappointed now but at the same time it doesn’t matter at all.
“Mary was set to win, but both you-“, she stopped before correcting herself, “Both Akari and Kuroki convince the class to vote for Hinata”
That seems extremely unfair and annoying. “Why did they care about who became the representative?”
“I’m glad you asked!”, her face lit up. Now I’m not glad I asked.
“Hinata always was the best student in the school but her dream also included being the class representative! She lets it slip during one of the scenes in-between you three.”
“It was sooooo sweet”, she hugged herself and spun around. “You’re going to do the same thing, right?”
What?
“What? No! I’d rather they win on their own merits.”
“Would you not say that winning because of your friends is also merit because they are your friends to begin with?”
“I don’t think it works like that…”, and besides, I’d rather Mary win anyway.
“I’m not going to do what Akari does here. I’ll just sit quietly and let it run its course.”
“Aww…”, she stopped hugging herself, “That was one of the best scenes in the manga.”
I can’t copy them.
“Alright, let’s work together and help each other out.”, I hold out my hands out for a handshake. “Let’s see this manga’s ending together.”, I let out as much of a smile as I could but my face remained rather serious.
“I’m going to touch Akari’s hand!”, she jumped around for a while as I put my hands away.
“Wait-“
“I’ll just.. go.”, and went away I did.
“Aww...”
I close the door behind me, trying to resist the urge to lock it. Don’t do it. It’s not worth it, you’d also feel bad about it like a second later but it’s not worth it. I’ll deal with her later, let’s focus on the current arc. Thankfully the school’s start time has almost arrived. I’ll just go to my class and sit down and let it all play out.
The school was almost full, the hallway was full of students chatting away. This somehow felt nostalgic, it hasn’t even been a month since I graduated. I look behind to make sure that Nari wasn’t following me. Looks like she’s going to keep up with her words and only stare at my face while I don’t notice her doing so… I don’t know if that’s better or worse.
Soon enough, my classroom was near my sight, and so was Mary who already had her notes out.
“Hey.”, Mary smiled at me, I think? It melted whatever uncomfortable feeling I had while I was at the rooftop.
“Hey!”, I answered back with a smile as I sat down on my chair.
“Good luck.”, I added. She turned towards me, surprised. “Good luck?”
“With the class representation election thing.”
“Oh! Right! Thank you!”, she smiled and pondered for a moment, “How did you know that I was going to apply?”
Valid question. A random girl told me about it because neither she nor I am from this world and you’re in a fictional world. Does that work as a valid answer?
“I had a feeling.”
She nodded, “Alright.”, and then went back to her notes. “Did you solve the problem that was disturbing you yesterday?”, she asked without moving her eyes away from the notes.
“Yes… I did.”, I tried. “At least the best I could.”, I really did try and I hope for the best but I don’t know what the future holds.
Mary smiled, “Sometimes, that’s all that matters.”
I nodded, “You’re right…”, sometimes, that’s all that matters.
