Fate...or Just Bad Luck

Whatever happened after that was a mystery, but it wasn’t hard to imagine I’d probably splattered on the floor. But if true, one would also imagine there’d be no pulse left in my body, yet I could still hear it.

It was light, but I could hear it.

Thump

Thump

So I was alive.

Good to know.

But that didn’t change the question in my mind. That being, what was going on?

I’d fallen from a massive building, but I was still alive. To my knowledge, those two don’t go hand in hand. Adding on the fact I wasn’t in any pain, everything became weirder.

So—

Thump

My thoughts were cut short by another heartbeat. It was weaker or maybe just fainter, but I felt it. Off rhythm from my own.

“Huh?” I let out as I opened my eyes.

That heartbeat turned out to be coming from an obvious source yet not one I expected. I guess I was still rattled from being dropped off a building.

Anyway, laying on top of me passed out was the horned girl from before, Ze’Seki. The aforementioned horns were dangerously close to my face.

Quietly sitting on her back was a creature I was starting to get quite familiar with. Its feathered wings twitched as I looked at it, probably sensing my gaze. The Reipter turned its eyes towards me and let out a loud chirp before flying away back inside the library.

Weird.

I guess it was looking after us.

A nice sentiment—if it didn’t come at the expense of their owner nearly committing murder.

Believe me, I was quite used to being dropped off buildings, my childhood was filled with moments like those. But this was the first time I’d been dropped from a building that tall, by a stranger no less.

I would complain to her about it, or ask her how she prevented our demise, but the last thing I wanted was to deal with her again. Either way, I wasn’t dead, so I guess it’s fine.

With that now out of the way, the situation wasn’t much different. I was still on the ground on a public sidewalk with a girl I’d just met laying on top of me.

…

If I had to be completely honest, and I really mean honest, I couldn’t say I hated this situation. No one could rip that confession out of my throat if they tried, but here, in the safety of my mind, I had to accept it.

The shallow breaths against my cheek, the weight on my body, and the two mounds pressed against my chest…

Alright, enough of that.

I took in a deep breath before tapping on her forehead.

“Hey, get up.”

She shook her head, prying her eyes for just a moment before grumbling and cuddling closer. Evidently out of it.

For as much as I might’ve been enjoying this, being in the middle of the street was a pretty large concern. Anyone could pass by at any point. We were extremely lucky no one had but that could change at any moment.

I tapped her forehead a few more times.

“Hey, idiot, get up.”

Finally, she began waking up, lazily opened her eyes, and rubbed them.

“Huh?” she turned her luminescent eyes, locking them with mine.

We stared at each other for a moment. Up close, I could see just how cute she actually looked. I guess if I was really looking for something good to get out of this, I could say I’d accomplished the goal my aunt gave me.

Talking to a cute girl—done.

Get closer to not getting expelled—nope.

Anyway, our little moment didn’t last too long as—

“G-Get off of me!” Ze’Seki yelled as she pushed me—to the ground?

“You’re the one that’s on top of me, idiot!”

“D-Don’t call me an idiot!”

“Then don’t be one!”

She was clearly flustered. Her face was redder than a Tingeroco fruit and she was trembling with either anger or embarrassment. Either way, neither was good for my well-being.

The library door hissed open.

From behind came a group of people I was quite acquainted with—unfortunately.

And who might that group be? Oh, well, who else but those same classmates from earlier. You know, the ones who already didn’t like me? Yeah, those.

The timing really couldn’t have been better.

The Goddess Arra was having a field day with me today.

Ze’Seki and I froze. Neither of us with the willpower to turn and face the group. All we could hope for was that they’d walk away without asking questions. It was a bit out there, I doubt many people wouldn’t at least ask if everything was fine but knowing these people, that wasn’t out of the question.

The seconds crawled by, but eventually, they walked right passed us. One of them hesitated to say something but decided not to.

There wasn’t a doubt in my mind they’d recognized me, but that was a problem future me would have to deal with.

I sighed.

Now that they were gone, I quickly grabbed Ze’Seki by the waist and lifted her off me. At the same time, I sat up.

We silently stared at the ground.

I couldn’t tell what was going on in her mind, but what I could say was that her blushed face was redder than I’d ever seen.

Ze’Seki tapped on the floor with her nail. Her sharp nails poked holes into the otherwise strong concrete floor.

Finally, after a few more awkward seconds, she said with a sigh, “Now because of you my reputation will be ruined from the get-go,” she hunched her shoulders.

“You tell me.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I guess you can say I know a thing or two about bad reputations,” I proudly puffed out my chest.

That was one of the only other things, apart from my intelligence, that I could say with certainty. At least, that’s been true for the last few years.

“Prove it then,” she crossed her arms.

I nodded, “Those people back there, you know, the ones that just passed?” I pointed in the direction I saw them leave. “Probably over half of them were my classmates. Did you see a single one of them talk to me? No, no you didn’t,” I crossed my arms. “I think that’s proof enough.”

Ze’Seki’s eyes widened. She crawled her way towards me as she exclaimed, “Wait, you go to McKinley Institute?”

“Heh, could you expect less?”

“A lot less, yes.”

“Ow.”

Once again, today my pride received a critical blow.

Ze’Seki gritted her teeth. It looked like she was painfully trying to decide whether to do something or not.

In the end, she flicked herself on the arm before saying, “I…I can’t say I like you…”

“Ow.”

“At all actually.”

“Ow, again.”

“I borderline hate you if I’m being honest.”

I really couldn’t catch a break, huh?

“But…” she took a deep breath, “But…can you be my friend?”

An out of left field question!

This girl had bounced through so many emotions that I was starting to get motion sickness. She goes from hatred to embarrassment, to hatred, to…whatever this is.

What is her deal?

But of course, ignoring all of that, the answer to her question was an easy one—

“No,” I said outright, “I refuse.”

“Huh?”

Her face was in genuine shock, but I don’t know what she was expecting.

“You just insulted me a few times and made me get kicked out the library for a week. Why, for any reason, would I be all buddy-buddy with you?”

Even if those things hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have agreed. But having an excuse felt much better.

She twiddled her thumbs, “But…But I asked…”

“Yeah, that too,” I rose to my feet. I’d completely forgotten we were still on the floor. “No one asks people to be their friend. That’s just weird.”

Rich coming from someone who didn’t know the first thing about making friends anymore. But even back then, I don’t remember ever asking anyone to be my friend. Not even Kokoro.

“…”

Her downcast expression was much sadder than I anticipated. She lightly trembled without saying a word.

Had I really gone too far? My social interaction skills weren’t too high, but I don’t think I said anything that mean.

I unconsciously walked over to her.

“He—” before I could get a single word out, a car drove up right next to me and came to a sudden stop. I didn’t even have time to think. The double doors slid open revealing the dark interior. From out that darkness came an arm that dragged me aggressively inside.

Was I getting kidnapped?

Apparently not just me because Ze’Seki was suddenly dragged inside too.

We landed on the soft seats before the doors slid closed once more. The car rumbled as it took off.

I couldn’t see a thing in the car. The only two windows, left and right, were covered by something. In the pitch blackness, all I could do was hear the faint shuffling of the girl next to me and a second person across from me.

“What—”

“Kokoro?” Ze’Seki cut me off.

Brain stopped.

Did I really hear her utter that name?

The name Kokoro wasn’t common, especially around here. The way that the beginning of the name repeated, as in there were two Ko’s, usually signaled they came from a family of Pantherians. Even mine was like that with Tsu—Tsutsumi.

I had only been in this place for a few months but in all that time I hadn’t run into a second Kokoro.

So, with all of that, this could only mean one thing—

The light on the ceiling turned on, filling the car in a warm yellow.

Sitting there, wearing a suit and tie, crossing her legs, resting her elbow on the armrest, and holding her cheek with her fist was none other than my best friend Kokoro.

“You might be wondering why I’ve brought you here.”

“Have you come to recruit us for a secret organization?” I asked.

“Hm, you learn quick,” She pulled out a dagger and handed it to me. “I want the job done by midnight tomorrow.”

“As you wish,” I gently took the blade with a bow.

Alright, bit over.

I tossed the rubber dagger on the floor, “Alright, what’s actually going on?”

To my left, Ze’Seki was sitting wide-eyed. She had been so confused about our little scene and probably bought it too.

“W-Wait, you two know each other?!” she asked while pointing at us.

“Hehe, know each other?” Kokoro uncrossed her legs, “Little Ari and I live together.”

Ze’Seki’s mouth hung open.

I was lost to say the very least.

Kokoro had never mentioned knowing a girl like Ze’Seki. For Kokoro to not talk about something with me was odd. One could say she loves talking about every minute detail of her life.

Ze’Seki being shocked we lived together wasn’t too odd. I’m sure most people would feel that way…

But oh was I mistaken.

“Wait, so…if you two live together…then…”

“Yes!” Kokoro threw her hands in the air, “Starting today, the three of us will be living together!”

““What?!””