Chapter 2: Imagining Things?

Plink…

Plink…

Everything was pitch black. Haru could barely see a few steps ahead, while the heavy silence was broken by the sound of drops hitting something metallic.

The feeling that something—or someone—was chasing him was terrifying.

"Is anyone there?" he asked the darkness.

He only heard the echo of his own voice rumbling into nothingness.

He felt something at his back and, turning around quickly, he saw a figure with white hair and red eyes emerging from the darkness, like a monster stalking him.

"Do you want me to do a ‘nya’ for you?" the voice sounded low and deep.

"No, President!"

Haru woke up, completely drenched in sweat, in his bed.

"That was scary…" he muttered. "It was just a bad dream."

The alarm on his phone was still ringing.

"I’d better get ready…" he muttered as he turned off the alarm and stretched.

Later that day, Haru was sitting at his desk, watching as always the people who walked into the classroom.

"Aaaaah…"

"I should sleep better," he thought while yawning.

At that moment, he slightly turned his head and saw the president standing in front of him. He didn’t know how long she had been there, but he felt like she was staring right at him.

"Good morning, Aizawa," she greeted, like every day.

"G… Good morning, President," he replied, a little nervous.

She looked at him one second longer than usual and sat down like always, but that extra second felt like an eternity to Haru, who sighed in relief.

"What was that?" he thought.

"I’m sure she was analyzing me."

"Good morning. Take your seats and open your History books to page 45."

Professor Miyamoto walked in half-heartedly, like always.

All the students answered in unison and began reading in silence.

While Haru read, the president seemed to be watching him; but when he turned around, she was absorbed in her reading.

The young man started sweating, not understanding what was happening. Why did he feel like she was watching him?

But why? Did she want to ask him for something?

"Um…" Haru muttered, speaking to the president.

But she didn’t even react.

When he was about to stretch out his hand to get her attention, a piece of chalk flew from the front of the classroom and hit him right on the forehead.

"Ouch! Who did that?"

The teacher was looking at him with an unfriendly face, holding another piece of chalk in his hand.

"Aizawa, don’t bother Yukishiro…"

The rest of his classmates looked at him inquisitively.

"I… I’m sorry, sensei. I just wanted to know which page we have to read."

"Page 45."

"Thank you, sensei."

He turned his eyes back to the book and stopped paying attention to everything else.

************

The next day…

************

The president was looking at the school’s ‘news’ board, which was more gossip than actual news that some students posted in the school newspaper.

Things like:

"It’s believed that Professor Keiko Takahashi is an alien."

"Pork sandwich sales went up 150%."

"The student council president’s fan club is still recruiting members."

Haru walked up to the board to talk to her.

"Um… President…"

She simply walked away with elegance.

…

Ignored.

…

A light breeze blew to keep Haru company.

***********************

The day after the day after…

***********************

Haru was choosing a drink from the vending machine next to the school gym.

There, hidden behind a tree, the small president was watching him carefully.

Once again, he felt like someone was staring at him and quickly turned around, but he didn’t find anyone nearby.

The president slowly peeked out again from behind the tree to resume her surveillance.

"Hello, President!"

An energetic voice put her on alert, like a small rabbit that had been spotted.

She quickly turned around and there was the girl from the school newspaper.

"Hello. If I remember correctly, you must be Kobayashi Yui," she replied with elegance and calmness.

"I’m so happy! The president knows who I am," she celebrated cheerfully.

"It is my duty as president to know the students."

"Amazing. Without a doubt, your reputation comes before you."

The president returned the bow with a graceful smile.

"May I ask what you’re doing?" Kobayashi asked, without a filter.

"I am studying the students’ consumption patterns, so I can demand discounts or product changes," she explained calmly.

The two of them remained silent.

"Aaaah… yes, I understand. Well, I’d better stop bothering you," she added with a bow before leaving.

The president returned the greeting and, when she saw that she had walked far enough away, went back to her target.

Haru was already gone.

The disappointment in her eyes could be seen even from a distance.

******************************************************************

The day after the day after, meaning the present, but at night and not at school…

******************************************************************

Haru was walking toward the combini near his house thinking about dinner that night. He didn’t feel like cooking, but he couldn’t just give instant noodles to his little sister.

When he walked in, the cashier greeted him in automatic mode, like always.

He grabbed a basket and headed to the prepared meals section. At night, the fresh bentos were usually almost 10% of their original price.

"Here’s my golden ticket," he muttered as he grabbed the last bento from the fridge. "Meat, vegetables, and a little rice. I’m sure Sora will love it."

"Should I bring her some ice cream to make up for it?"

The sound of a stomach growling pulled his attention away.

His eyes looked down and he saw what seemed to be a messy young girl, with glasses, oversized clothes that looked like they came from some secondhand store, and her mouth covered by a face mask.

"This can’t be real…"

Haru sighed and looked at the young girl.

"You want the bento, right?"

She lowered her gaze and her stomach growled again.

"It’s just… I only have 100 yen," she said sadly.

When she looked up, embarrassed…

Haru was holding out his hand with the bento.

"It’s okay. You can keep it."

"Are you serious?" she replied in a soft and sweet voice.

"Y… yeah. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out what to make for dinner."

The young girl took the box and thanked him with one last bow, while Haru watched her walk away.

"Well… I guess I’ll have to cook," he said with a sigh.

Later he arrived home with the mini market bag. He took out his phone and sent a message to his sister.

(Haru): Tonight we’re having burgers.

(Sora): Thanks, oni-chan! I’m starving!

(Sora): Burger Emoji – Smile Emoji

He left the phone on the table, placed the ingredients one by one in the kitchen, and rolled up his sleeves.

"Time to get to work."

For a moment he felt happy. He had done a good deed for the day and could give his sister a good meal. For him, it was a personal victory.

*****************

The following week…

*****************

A Monday like any other, Haru was doing what he knew how to do naturally… yawning, stretching, and looking out the window.

At that moment, silence returned to the classroom.

He already knew who was walking in.

"Aizawa."

This time her voice seemed more distant than usual.

He looked at her calmly, trying not to get nervous.

"Yes, President."

She was still there, firm, staring at him seriously.

"We will have a meeting in the student council room this afternoon. Don’t be late."

With that said, she took her seat with elegance.

Under Haru’s stunned gaze, several of his classmates began to look at him as if he were a target. Some wondered what had happened, he could even hear the whispers.

"What did he do this time?"

"Did he mess with the president?"

"Is he going to get expelled?"

He swallowed nervously.

"I’m done for."