Our Empty Selves

A Chance of Happiness Chapter 18: Our Empty Selves

“Mina, what are you saying?” Kazuto gave Mina a confused look.

“It’s not true. None of what people are saying about him is.”

It was a strange feeling, one Jin hardly ever felt. The feeling of someone coming to him of all people’s aid. By fate or simply happenstance, Jin suddenly found himself face to face with someone who couldn’t just sympathize with his situation, but understood exactly what he was feeling. Someone who could see right through him and see his empty self.

It’s easy to say nothing bothers you, that nothing anyone could say or do could ever truly upset you. But hardly anyone really knows what it's like to truly close yourself off to those emotions, and even then, that door that you may have convinced yourself you closed doesn’t always stay that way. And once that door opens, there’s no telling what could happen.

“I’ve seen it countless times in and out of the entertainment industry. People fabricate lies and rumors to make someone else appear in a certain light. Most often, to damage their reputation so that they can never be as successful as they have the potential to be.”

“But… the things they’ve been saying… even the teachers at–”

“How could they know if they’ve never met him?! How could anyone be so sure that someone acts a certain way if they’ve never actually met them? Have you ever met him face to face? Had an actual conversation with him? Have you taken the time to really understand what they’re like?!”

“I…” Kazuto looked away, seemingly ashamed of himself.

Vernon turned to see Jin simply staring, completely awestruck by her speech.

“So… you don’t believe the things people have been saying about him?” Vernon turned his attention to Mina.

“I don’t.”

“Even after only just meeting him?”

“W-Well I… yes…” Mina stammered. “I… I can just tell–”

“Because he was right. What he told you yesterday was true.”

Kazuto quickly turned back to the group. “What did he say?”

Vernon recalled Jin’s words and explained what happened yesterday between them to Kazuto. His posture shifted slightly, but to Vernon’s surprise, he didn’t appear to be surprised or angry for that matter.

“You don’t seem too surprised.”

Kazuto took a brief look at Mina, who slightly shrugged up, confirming what he said was the truth.

“No, I am. I’m surprised someone who had only just met her noticed. Nobody other than me really knows her.”

“So–” Vernon began.

“It’s true. All of what he said was true.” Mina spoke up.

“But how did he know?”

“Call it his intuition. And in this case, it was simple… because they’re the same. They’re both fake.”

Vernon explained how the rumors about Jin started, and then spiraled out of control. Kazuto explained how Mina became less like herself as she struggled to meet expectations.

“So… they were all made up…” Kazuto gave a bitter expression.

Vernon took a quick look at Jin, who was still silent. “And things only got worse as time went on. He just happened to be the one they picked to target.”

“I’m sorry… for what I said. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions like that.” Kazuto quickly bowed his head.

“No, it’s ok. You were just trying to protect her. I understand how it must’ve looked from your perspective.” Jin finally spoke, waving his hands.

“Thank you… for understanding.”

“Great! Now that that’s cleared up… Mina-san, why exactly have you been hiding all this from me?” Vernon pointed at Mina with an accusatory expression on his face.

“I–I’m sorry I just–” Mina stammered.

“We were in the drama club for a whole year and you didn’t tell me what was going on with you?! Why wouldn’t you come to me for help?!”

“I’m sorry…”

“Well that wasn’t the answer I was hoping for.”

“Huh?”

“There’s no reason you shouldn’t keep your personal matters to yourself, so you have no need to apologize. What I really meant was, how can we help you now that we know?”

“But.. you don’t have to–”

“Of course we do!”

Kazuto gave Vernon a surprised look. “You’d really help her?”

“Why wouldn’t we? You two were willing to hear me out and truly listened to what I said. Just having you two believe that the rumors about Jin are false is more than enough for me! But I’d still help anyways.”

“Then, if I could ask you two…” Kazuto paused for a moment. “Would you consider helping Mina?”

“Kazuto!” Mina quickly turned to him.

“Of course! What would you like us to do?” Vernon cut Mina off.

“I’m… not sure actually. She’s been trying really hard but hasn’t managed to tell others how she really feels. And I’m not sure how to make her feel more comfortable being herself.”

“Oh, that’s easy.”

The three gave Vernon a series of confused looks.

“Why don’t we… just become friends?” Vernon smiled, clapping his hands together.

The simple statement was enough to shock all three of them, but before any of them even had the chance to consider, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

“Shoot! Time went by so fast I forgot to eat!” Vernon panicked, scrambling to search for the lunches he had bought. “Oh well.” Vernon grabbed his bag and stood up, pulling Jin up off the floor with him. “Anyways, we’ll give you guys some time to think things over, no rush. You know where to find us! See ya!”

Vernon dragged Jin out the door of the fitness center, leaving Mina and Kazuto behind.

“Vernon…” Jin gave a concerned expression as the two walked away.

“Relax. I know you’re worried that their reputations could be damaged but I don’t think they even care. They’re different.” Vernon smiled. “I told you things were gonna start changing, didn’t I?”

Jin and Mina sat on the bleachers in their P.E. class, both trying to find the words to say to eachother.

“Your friend gave quite the speech earlier…”

Jin gave a hesitant smile. “He’s been getting better at them lately.” Jin paused, turning to face Mina. “You two… don’t have to feel pressured about what he said earlier. It’s fine if you don’t–”

“No! I want to!” Mina blurted out, covering her mouth, surprised by how loud she was.

Jin looked at her just as surprised.

“I… would like to get to know you.”

“Me?”

“No! I–I mean yes! I’d like to get to know both of you!”

“You knew Vernon from the drama club last year, didn’t you?”

“Well… yes. Me and Ichihara-kun talked a lot and he's really nice and is a great teacher. He taught me a lot last year.”

“That’s good… I’m glad you think so highly of him.”

“That’s it for today! Clean up your things and head back to get changed!” Tora yelled from across the court.

Jin and Mina got up off the bleachers and began to walk together towards the exit.

“Also… Yuriko-san…”

“Yes?” Mina replied, slightly startled by the fact that he said her name.

“Thank you… for what you said earlier.”

“Y-You’re welcome.”

The two exited the gym and began to head in their separate directions.

“Um, see you tomorrow, Rento-kun.” Mina stammered.

“See you later.” Jin gave a slight wave before turning to walk away.

Mina waited for a moment, watching as Jin walked around the corner of the gym towards the locker rooms.

“Maybe… he really doesn’t remember…”