Autumn 3rd, 4372; Morning, 10:53

Thirdday, Autumn 3rd, 3–…4,372; Morning, 10:53 [3342512372]

"A goblin, huh?"

To many, the black-haired girl was a goddess, a paragon of beauty. And yet, Ruya had just relegated her to a mere pebble on an adventurer's journey. The nearby students twisted their gazes almost in unison, glaring at one who insulted their idol. Unsurprisingly, Ruya instinctually hid behind Belle, trying to escape their silent hostility.

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap. Why the hell did I say that?!?!? Ruya's mind flew into overdrive, unable to uncover why her mouth moved involuntarily, and so rudely at that. It was as if she had been speaking to someone else entirely -- someone more like her. But that can't be, right?

However, she didn't have time to finish that thought. The so-called "goblin" began to chuckle.

"Ah! Sorry, Madam Student Council President," Belle quickly apologized, assuming the President was angry. "Ruya is... uh... well, you see..." She tried to explain her friend's behavior, but Ruya's pain and trauma weren't hers to share, leaving her tongue-tied.

"It is fine," the President responded peacefully, contrary to their expectations. Though, that didn't stop Ruya from avoiding her eyes. "I wish you would make me at least a mimic or a lich. That is the first time I have been called such a thing."

"Huh? You know what mimics and liches are?" Belle asked, surprised. While such fantasy characters did occasionally appear in literature, most references were relegated to the RPGs of video games: a niche technology that only somewhat wealthy individuals had to pass the time. A niche rarely spoken about in public during this era. And yet...

"I do play a game or two during my spare time. They are always quite entertaining." Here was the Student Council President, expressing her opinions on games without fear of reproach. Granted, it was only due to her lofty position that she could without being condemned, but that didn't make it any less astounding.

"Really???" Unfortunately for the President, Belle had been deeply obsessed with video games since she was a kid, so much so that she abandoned her friend, sidling right up to the President's face. "I thought you were the type of person who would never be caught dead with one."

"What kind of person do you think I am? You should be well aware that you should not judge a book by its cover," the President quipped back, eyeing Belle's gyaru-esque, prim-esque guise.

"Well, whatever," Belle didn't bother to apologize. She had already moved on to something she thought was more important. "So, what games do you play? Something like 'Villager Builder'? Or is 'Heart of Blood' more your style?"

"I am much more fond of adventure and puzzle games," the President responded, swept up in Belle's fervor.

"Oh! Then have you played that new game that just came out!?"

"'The Adventurers of Stu'?"

"That's the one!"

"I bought it yesterday, so I have not gotten around to playing it yet. I believe it supports multiplayer, so would like to join me for a playthrough?"

"Seriously?!?!? Of course, Madam President!!!" Belle immediately jumped on the opportunity, shaking her hand vigorously.

"Ha ha, just call me Folle. And what about you, Ruya?" she directed her attention back towards the startled doberman, now peaking out from behind Belle's boyfriend's back. "Would you like to join as well?"

"I-I..." the words stuck to Ruya's throat. It wasn't that she wasn't interested. She enjoyed playing games herself, or at least back when she and Belle used to play together. However, when she looked over at Folle's face, it was covered in shadow, just like everyone else.

"I-I'm good, thanks." Hanging out with Folle was a step too far, a line she dared not cross yet. Ruya had a feeling that if she did, something would change, and that was terrifying.

Folle watched Ruya for a little bit longer before letting out a long sigh. "Well, that is fine. I cannot force you, after all." She then directed her attention back to Belle. "Your contact Ms...?"

"Oh! Anabelle! Though my friends call me Belle," she responded, tapping her phone against Folle's to exchange contacts.

"It is a pleasure Anabelle. Well, I will get going, seeing as someone feels a bit anxious around me. Good luck in your classes." With one last glance behind her, Folle continued walking towards Tona Academy.

Wait... Ruya tried to reach out towards Folle, but her hands barely moved. They simply remained at her side, clenched in frustration.

"...you really wanted to play, huh?" Belle asked.

"...yeah." It was the second time someone had ever tried to understand Ruya for who she was. And yet, she turned that hand away. She understood that Folle was sincere, different from her mom and Belle, different from Mr. Nox. But still...

"It's okay," Belle hugged her. "You can always try again next time."

"But when will that be? Will I really be able to..." Ruya gritted her teeth. She wanted to change. She wanted to move forward. She had already taken those first few steps, and it was the perfect opportunity to take the next. So why did I--

“Well, you are more useful than those ‘friends’ who left you to die.”

...ah, that's right. Those words echoed in her mind once again, causing her body to seize up. The darkness slowly began to creep in from the sides of her vision, shattering the thin glass keeping her afloat.

I thought they would've been gone by now. It wasn't the first time this had happened. When Ruya first came back to school, she tried to approach a girl in the library who was reading one of her favorite books. But no matter how hard she tried, its voice grabbed her by the throat, forcing her to run away.

That's how it had been since that day. Even now, she could still see the face of that black monstrosity haunting her memories. The one who locked away her heart. The one who stole her freedom.

The one who killed her with a smile on its face.