Narrowing it down

Saying that, it wasn't as if the leaker would introduce themself on the spot.

As the lunch bell rang, students poured through the halls, eager for a break from the eternal torture called class. For me, it provided a simple breather from Vtubing. Where was the fun watching during lunch, without teachers barking up with every discrepancy? There's no thrill in watching without risk. Besides, much as I loved Astella, even I needed a break from the screen every now and then.

A heated argument awaited me as I sat down - just my luck. Felix and Lilly sat opposed, faces flushed about the 30th useless topic of the week.

"It's music you dolt! I'm sorry there's no dancing anime girls to follow along while you drool on the screen." Felix said.

"M-music is all about the beats, the rhythm! Rap is just some dude talking into the mic. Video games surpassed mainstream music a long time ago, especially rap! God, I wanna puke."

"Believe it or not, most of us choose not to be a walking stereotype."

Lilly clenched her fists. "Because I'm bold enough to speak the truth? Rap is simply inferior to all other music." Her green eyes contorted as she twisted a finger around her blonde hair

"Says the woman who listens exclusively to video game soundtracks."

"So? I like good music; what crime have I committed?"

"Felix, why are you still arguing this?" I asked, placing my tray down on the table. "She simply refuses to get it."

"Oh, hey, Kaiden," Felix said, pulling out his phone. "You know I can't resist her downfall into your average forum poster."

"Downfall?" Lilly glared, sitting down and taking out her lunch. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Felix simply sighed. "Never change, Lilly."

"What the urgent can't wait issue now?" From behind, Camden approached with a few others in tow.

"Camden!" At their mere presence, Felix shot up like an energetic puppy, running over to their side. "Just discussing a bit of music stuff, no big deal."

"So Lilly decided to pronounce the horrors of rap again."

"That's another point for Camden." I jokingly joined in. "Think we're getting close to a thousand to nill."

"I simply do not miss." Camden sat down, and soon enough, we had a full table. "Still, why do you keep up with such dumbass matters?"

"Because Felix is just like a lost puppy when left to his own devices," Lilly replied, munching on her sandwich. "Just because society says something, he must follow along."

"You're so brave, Lilly," I said, deadpan. "Anyway, I have a proposition for you all."

"Proposition?" Several complex faces turned in my direction - admiring my natural beauty, no doubt.

"An interesting rumor broke out last night. You know that Vtuber I'm always obsessed with?"

"That anime girl you're drooling over in class 24/7?" Camden asked.

"Yeah her. Well, she goes to our high school, and I need everyone's help." The table went quiet, turning toward me with interest. Even Felix paused mid-bite from his sandwich. "Well?"

"What exactly are you planning, Kaiden..." Lilly asked.

"Listen, do you know how she must be feeling right now? Scared, confused? You know how insane the internet is, and I've shown everyone here enough to back those fears up. Astella has helped me in more ways than I can count; this is just me giving back! The simple fact of the matter is there's a lot of girls in our grade; some that like me, and some that... Anyway! I’ve heard through the grapevine that the leaker goes to our school, and I want to find her!

Everyone paused, unsure about my perfect proclamation.

"I don't know about this." Felix frowned, glancing towards Camden. There really wasn't an original thought in that head.

"I’m all for screwing her over, but I don't know… What could we really do?" Camden asked, resting their arm on the table.

"No, well listen! Who else is–"

"Still on about this?" Charlotte asked, leaning over while using my head as a table. "Was last night not enough to distract you?"

"Oh hey, Charlotte!" I could hear my voice squeaking. "You comfortable enough? I'm always willing to assist."

"Couldn't ask for a better armrest." She smirked.

"Listen, I'm just thinking for Astella's sake! If I'm not gonna protect her, who will?"

"Assuming she needs protection." Charlotte sighed, both hands against her face. "Well, I'll help, just to keep you from saying something too stupid."

"Not just stupid?"

"That's already predetermined."

"Well, what do the rest of you guys say?"

Felix shrugged, chewing on his sandwich as he glanced between his friends. "I dunno, Camden?"

"I am not a fan of this idea at all," Camden said with a shrug. "But if Kaiden's dead set, doesn't hurt to rein him in a bit."

"Hey, I've already started, so you all might as well," I said.

"Okay, fine," Felix replied with a frown. "I'm in if you're in, Camden."

"Lilly?"

"Well, if everyone else's involved..."

"Knew I could count on everyone!" I exclaimed just as the bell rang for the second time.

                                                                             * * *

"Hey, Kaiden, can we talk for a second?" Just as class ended for the day, a familiar figure called my name - leaning against the wall.

"What's up, Patrick?" Now, I wasn't exactly short, but walking up to Patrick made me feel minuscule in comparison. How many six-foot-six muscular giants existed in high school anyway? Just my luck, our school's basketball star happened to be one of them.

Yet that wasn't what really made him stand out, with dirty blonde hair and eyes that shimmered on the edge of blue. No, what really set him apart was his err... Personality.

"Overheard a fascinating conversation at the lunch table today. You're really down bad for that anime girl."

"Well, that's a strong way of putting it."

He laughed. "You know, I had a similar situation once, long, long ago."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the woman I loved went missing, and god knows how much time I spent looking for her. While I would have pulled Astella long ago, you still aren't doing half bad in my eyes; not every person can have my natural charm."

As I said, his personality was truly one of a kind.

"Now I'm a nice guy, so I got a bit of a tip for you." Within a singular swift motion, Patrick pulled out his phone and tapped it once.

A familiar voice rang out, a very familiar one, in fact. "Hey, Patrick! Thanks so much for the advice on setting up my stream layout. I never took you as the kinda guy to have all this in-depth knowledge of Vtubing and streaming; never judge a book by its cover! Hope you can catch my stream soon!"

"There's no way..."

"My game's unmatched, Kaiden, not something you could comprehend. But I'm in a good mood, so I'll give you two bits of wisdom." He leaned in, towering over my very being. "Astella is in your class..."

His voice deepened, taking on an almost menacing tone. "And if you don't realize what's fucked up about this, you'll ruin any chance you ever had."

“Yeah… I know who she is dude, clearly, we’ve both talked to Charlotte.” What game was Patrick playing? Did he think I was some obsessive stalker? not very wholesome in my eyes.

Patrick raised an eyebrow. “Interesting…” His eyes glanced away, clearly deep in thought. “What's your goal then?”

“Goal?”

“I know English is a very hard language, but you gotta hang with me. A goal is when–”

“I know what a goal is! I just wanna catch the mother fucker who dared to screw with her.”

“Maybe there's hope for you yet Kaiden. Granted, a minuscule, almost nonexistent amount, but there's some still there yet.”

Patrick grinned, nonchalantly walking past. “Hope you can entertain me a bit with your cat and mouse game because my disappointment is at an all time high.”