Celebratory Reflection

And with that, she leapt out the window into the night, leaving only the echo of her final words behind.

“Oh…and thank you,” Amy muttered.

Then, without another word, she made a grand leap and vanished into the darkness. Her presence no longer lingered in the air as I sat there, lost in thought.

“Why does she always leave like that every time we meet her?”

Still, our conversation had helped. My thoughts weren’t so jumbled anymore. I drifted off to sleep faster than usual, arms tightly wrapped around my pillow, fading peacefully into the sunrise.

Morning came too soon.

“Arise,” my dad said, shaking me awake.

Groggily dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the kitchen, barely conscious as I ate whatever breakfast my mom had prepared for me and my brother.

“Mmm. This is really good,” I mumbled through a mouthful. “I’d love to learn how to cook from you, Mom.”

“W-What!?”

My mom practically shouted as she spun around to face me. My brother and I blinked at each other, suddenly wide awake.

“You okay, honey?” Dad asked, stepping into the kitchen with a confused look.

“Our daughter just said she wants to learn how to cook,” Mom said, cupping her mouth in exaggerated shock.

“Cook?!” Dad echoed, now staring at me like I’d grown a second head.

I sank into my seat, avoiding their eyes. “Well…it’s just really yummy, so I figured I’d like to learn how to make it myself. That’s all.”

“It’s for a boy,” my little brother snickered.

“Nuh-uh!” I shot back.

“Is it that Anon boy?” Dad asked.

“Who’s Anon?” Mom added, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m getting ready for school!” I shoved the rest of my breakfast into my mouth and rushed off to my room, red-faced.

I got changed, did the usual routine, and headed out the door a little flustered.

“Geez…they’ve got the wrong idea,” I muttered, arms crossed. “Kind of…I guess.”

I took the same route I always did, the one I used to take with Anon. It hadn’t changed, but his face popped into my mind as I walked it. The breeze was gentle, the air carried that fresh seasonal scent.

Eventually, I reached the school gates and looked up just in time to see Kira and Oberon arriving too. They were already there…and staring blankly at me.

We were brought together because of Anon. But now…were we actually friends?

“H-Hey,” I said, giving a small wave.

“Sup,” they both said at the same time.

“What’s with those looks?” I asked.

Kira scratched the back of her head. “We thought Anon would be with you…but I guess he really is gone.”

“Bro was fun to hang with,” Oberon added, pouting a bit as he turned to walk toward the building.

“Guess we should follow him,” Kira said.

We fell into step together, trying to keep up with Oberon’s usual quick pace.

“Have you heard about the school’s traditions?” Kira asked, starting some small talk.

“A little. You mean the Valentine Festival, right?”

“Yep. Something about thanking a love god who helped the founder find true love or whatever. Sounds straight out of a manga.”

“Hehe…definitely sounds fake.”

“Still, classes are gonna be lighter. We just finished midterms, after all.”

“Almost like a prom.”

Suddenly, the mood shifted. Kira’s expression turned serious.

“Y-you not a fan of proms?” I asked cautiously.

“I’m not a fan of couples.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I want a partner!”

“So…it’s jealousy,” I replied, deadpan.

“Like! I have a bigger dating pool! I can go for either side!”

“We’re still young,” I said, looking away with a small smile.

“Says the girl who already snagged a boy.”

“We’re just friends!”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

“So…not asking anyone to the festival?” I asked.

“Don’t really have friends outside of Oberon. And I haven’t paid much attention to anyone else in our grade. I’ll probably just go alone.”

“What about Oberon?”

“Never heard him show interest in anyone. Viveka was the first time I saw him talk to a girl, actually. But I’ve heard some rumors…some girls and a few guys think he’s attractive.”

“We’re such a group of losers,” I laughed.

“Seems like it,” she smiled.

We got to class and found Oberon already there, playing something on his phone. Upon closer inspection, it was Whispering Tides.

“Gooner,” I teased.

“Gooner recognizes gooner,” Oberon shot back.

“Touché.”

“What?” Kira asked, totally lost.

“Game respects game,” we replied in unison.

“..Okay.”

We spent the next few minutes chatting about random stuff. Oberon went on a few rants about his team in Whispering Tides, and I just nodded along since I only knew the basics of the game.

Then, our homeroom teacher walked in to talk about the upcoming Valentine Festival, giving us all the basic info before the official prep started on Friday.

“Friday, huh…” Oberon mumbled.

Kira glanced sideways at me.

“You’re not actually planning to—”

“It was bound to happen eventually,” I said, calm and collected.

“You want us to tag along?” she asked, a little hesitant. “I’m not sure how much help I’d be, but I could at least make it more fair.”

“You’ve got your own rep to worry about. Besides, I doubt it’ll come to anything physical,” I said. “If she’s being honest, it’ll just be the two of us.”

“And you believe her?” Oberon asked.

I paused. My thoughts drifted to her.

“I do.”

“…Then I guess it’s up to you,” he said, leaning back and closing his eyes.

“You’re always napping, even in class,” Kira sighed.

“Does he not get enough sleep?” I asked.

“We both have low blood pressure, but some of us let it get to them more than others.”

Oberon waved her off.

“Let’s not pretend you’re the normal one here, Miss Sectoral Heterochromia.”

“Heterochromia?” I blinked at Kira.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Only a bit of my left eye is different,” she said, stepping closer. “See?”

She turned her head, and sure enough, the upper right corner of her left eye had a soft gray hue.

“That’s so cool!”

“T-thanks,” she blushed. “The gray’s been there since birth. It stands out next to my brown, especially when the sun’s behind me. Most people don’t even notice.”

“I think it’s cute,” I smiled, then glanced at Oberon. “And I wouldn’t make fun of something so unique.”

“You should hear what else I’ve called her when I’m actually trying to be mean,” he joked.

“And you should see what I’ll do to your face if I hear you say them again.”

“….”

“…”

“Guess what else about her isn’t hetero?” he smirked.

A backpack immediately slammed into his face, sending him to the floor.

“I warned you!”

Kira kept throwing things while he dodged and we all burst into laughter.

And for that moment, I smiled.

This was nice.

I wondered if Anon had made friends with those guys he mentioned…and that girl.

A small twinge of annoyance crept into my thoughts. But even so, the smile stayed.

“You can trust me, Anon. I promise, I’ll put an end to everything between us tomorrow.”