Chapter 33: The Actor's 'Character Research'

Monday.

I survived the weekend.

My phone is dead. I refuse to charge it.

I walk into school.

The air is normal?

Fuji is at his desk. He is studying. He looks pale.

He sees me. He flinches.

He actually flinches.

He doesn't say, "Good morning, Isuzu-san."

Victory?

I sit at my desk.

Toujo leans over.

"Aoi..." he whispers, his eyes wide. "My dad works for Hiroto Suzume's agency." (I did not know this.) "He saw a memo."

"A memo?" I whisper back.

"'Character Research... at Higashi High School'..." Toujo breathes. "Aoi... he's coming here."

"He what?"

"He pulled strings! He's enrolling! For 'research'! For one week!"

"NO."

The classroom door slides open.

The Principal is here.

"Good morning, class," the Principal says, sweating. "We have a very special transfer student joining us. For a short cultural exchange."

He wouldn't.

He did.

Hiroto Suzume walks in.

He is wearing our school uniform.

He hates it. I can tell. The tie is loose. The shirt is un-tucked.

He looks amazing.

The entire class gasps.

The girls look like they saw God.

The guys look betrayed.

"Hello, everyone!" Hiroto beams, flashing a perfect actor smile. "My name is Hiroto Suzume! I'm so excited to learn with all of you!"

He scans the room.

His eyes land on Fuji. (Fuji's pencil has snapped in his hand.)

His eyes land on me.

His smile widens.

"Please... treat me kindly!"

"Suzume-san..." the Principal squeaks. "You can sit wherever you like."

Oh, no.

Hiroto walks.

He struts.

He passes Fuji's desk.

"Morning, 'Fuji-kun'," Hiroto murmurs, just loud enough for me to hear. "Tough weekend?"

He doesn't stop.

He walks right to my desk.

He grabs the empty desk right next to me.

(It used to be 'Bully-san's desk'. He transferred.)

Hiroto drags it.

SCRRRRRAAAAAAPE.

He drags it right up to my desk.

Closer than is legal.

He plops down.

He leans his chin on his hand.

He stares at me.

"Hello, Angel," he whispers. "My muse. My 'cold-hearted tsundere research project'. Let's begin."

I put my head on my desk.

My peaceful life is a dumpster fire.