Chapter XII - If You Tell Anyone, I’ll Kill You (II)

No one clapped.

No one even breathed.

No elaboration, no personal details, no attempt at warmth or connection. Just seven words delivered with the precision of someone fulfilling an obligation they found tedious.

And because of that, the classroom erupted into frantic whispers.

"Milan?! Like, actual Milan?"

"She's half-Italian? No way."

"Is her hair for real?"

"Those eyes... are those colored contacts?"

"She's sooooo pretty! Do you think she has a boyfriend back in Italy?"

"She looks like a model!"

"I bet her dad is a mafia boss or something... wait, a music critic?!"

"I know her mom! She's that one world-famous opera singer—"

Beside me, Akise was frantically scribbling in his notebook, his eyes wide with what I recognized as "character development inspiration."

"The Crimson Witch of the Western Horizon has arrived," he muttered, loud enough for only me to hear. "Did you see those eyes? Like frozen starlight! I'm definitely using that in Chapter Seven!"

I couldn't respond. Something strange had happened when Minazuki-san entered the room. Would it be wrong to call it a shift in atmospheric pressure, a realignment of gravitational forces? It wasn't just her beauty, though that was undeniable. It was the aura of absolute self-possession that surrounded her, as if she needed nothing and no one in this room.

"Minazuki-san, please take the empty seat by the window, fifth row," Fujimiya-sensei directed, gesturing toward a desk near the back of the class. "Sairenji-san will provide you with today's materials. Kagami-kun can show you around during lunch break."

I felt a jolt at the mention of my name. Me? Show her around? The thought sent an inexplicable wave of anxiety through my chest. But of course, that was my job now. Class representative. Helper. Guide.

Minazuki-san leisurely moved toward her seat. She merely ignored the stares that followed her. Soon enough, she settled at her desk, placing her bag beside her, and turned her gaze toward the window, effectively dismissing the entire class.

Fujimiya-sensei promptly cleared her throat, aiming to claim the room's attention.

"Now, let's begin with our morning announcements. As you know, this trimester includes the summer trip to Okinawa, which requires preparation and permission forms..."

The normal rhythm of school life resumed, but something had changed.

The trajectory of Class 2-A had been altered by the arrival of Minazuki Serena, though none of us could yet understand how or why.

…

Morning classes passed in a blur of syllabi reviews and textbook distributions. I took dutiful notes, answered when called upon, and performed all the expected functions of an exemplary student. It was the beginning of the year, so naturally the teachers went easy on us, focusing more on establishing expectations than delving into course material. This allowed my awareness to keep drifting to the red-haired figure three rows back, still staring out the window as if the classroom and everyone in it were merely an inconvenience she was forced to endure.

Why is she here? Why Amane? Why our class?

The questions circled in my mind, competing with the more pressing ones that had haunted me through the long, empty nights of spring break.

When the lunch bell finally rang, Sairenji approached my desk with a... mildly concerned look.

"Kagami-kun, about showing Minazuki-san around..."

"I've got it covered. Part of the job, right?"

She hesitated, her dark eyes searching my green. "She seems... rather reserved. I think it would be better if we held up on introducing ourselves to her. People react differently to new environments, and we should probably respect her boundaries."

"Yeah, she's just shy," I said confidently. "New country, new school. She probably feels out of place."

"I'm not sure that's—"

"Shou-chan!" Akise appeared at my elbow, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Are you really going to escort the Crimson Witch? Bold move, my Genbu..."

I frowned. "Don't call her that. And yes, Fujimiya-sensei asked me to."

"Ah... my dear Genbu, it seems you have yet to understand that you haven't reached the level requirement for that DLC quest. Best stick to slaying goblins for now, hmm?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied, trying to maintain an non-exasperated expression as I turned to Sairenji who looked increasingly more worried. "I'll just introduce myself, Sairenji. I'll show her the cafeteria, maybe the library. Basic orientation stuff."

Sairenji's eyebrows drew together slightly, the most overt expression of disagreement she ever allowed herself.

"Just don't make her feel overwhelmed, Kagami-kun."

But I was already moving toward Minazuki-san's desk as I adjusted my representative badge and straightened my tie. This was my responsibility. My duty.

And perhaps, in some small way, a chance to be useful, to matter.

The scarlet girl had not moved from her windowgazing. She remained seated while most of the class filed out for lunch, still gazing out the window at the cherry blossoms spiraling earthward.

I cleared my throat.

"Minazuki-san?"

She turned slowly, those ice-blue eyes meeting my weaker green for the first time. Something cold slid down my spine. I couldn't call it fear, but I wouldn't necessarily call it awe as well.

"I'm Kagami Shouma, the male class representative. Welcome to Amane Private Academy. I'm here to help you with anything you might need."

She studied me for a long moment, an expression revealing nothing.

"I don't need anything, especially not help."

"..."

"..."

"Well, um, I'm supposed to show you around the campus, so... do you have any questions?"

"..."

"The cafeteria is on the first floor, and there's a library on the fourth if you prefer to study—"

"I can read a map."

"Right, of course! But maybe there are some places that aren't on the map? Like the old music room, or—"

"If it's not on the map, it's probably not important."

I felt sweat beginning to form at my temples.

This wasn't going how I'd imagined. Not at all. She didn't even care about social etiquette or basic pleasantries! Just who the hell was she?!

"The cherry blossoms in the courtyard are beautiful right now," I tried, gesturing toward the window she'd been staring through. "Have you seen them before?"

"They're trees. With flowers. They exist in other countries."

"O-Oh. Y-Yes! Of course they do! I just meant that maybe you'd like to—"

"Why are you still talking to me?"

I opened my mouth, closed it, opened it again. Sound refused to come out. I felt my face burning. Around us, the few remaining students in the classroom had fallen silent, pretending not to listen while clearly hanging on every word.

"I already said I don't need help. Are you deaf or just stupid?"

"I-I'm just trying to be friendly—"

"I don't recall asking for friends."

"But you're new here, and I thought—"

"Thinking seems to be a problem for you. I don't need friends. I don't need help. And I definitely don't need you."

She turned back to the window, dismissing me completely.

I stood there, frozen, feeling like I'd been slapped. Every script I'd learned about welcome and inclusion was useless against this wall of icy apathy.

Then, soft footsteps came from behind.

"Kagami-kun, perhaps we should let Minazuki-san settle in at her own pace?" came Sairenji's gentle voice from behind me. She'd approached so quietly I hadn't noticed, and she was basically a lifeline.

"Yes, that's... that's probably wise," I managed, bowing slightly to Minazuki-san. "Please let us know if you need anything."

"I won't."

Sairenji touched my elbow lightly, guiding me away from the desk. I followed numbly, feeling the weight of my complete failure settling over me like a wet blanket. From the corner of my eye, I could see Akise snorting in the background, and I wanted to slam his pink head into a locker.

"Don't take it personally, Kagami-kun. Some people prefer to adjust on their own terms." Sairenji soothed as we stepped out into the hallway.

But I had taken it personally.

Completely and utterly personally.

Because for the first time in my carefully constructed life of helping and pleasing and being useful, I'd encountered someone who didn't want any of it.

Someone who looked at all my efforts and found them worthless.

Someone who made me feel exactly as small and insignificant as I knew I was.

It pissed me off.