Message Sent

Not much happens in school from what I've seen. After classes, I'm pretty much left with a clean schedule for the rest of the day, so I use the time I have left to read, walk around, or browse the internet on my phone.

Still, none of those things have effectively kept my attention for long. I'd much rather have Sakuno accompany me, but it's a mere chance that I run into him after classes. I suppose I rolled the wrong side of the dice today.

Most of the time, I just walk around the campus, hoping to find something that might interest me. It fails more often than not, but at least I'm doing something.

"Um... Excuse me..." someone called for me from behind.

I turned around to see three girls standing there while holding their phones to their chests. Their eyes of anticipation were indicative that they were expecting something from me, but what could it possibly be?

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Ah... U-um... C-can we have your Line ID?!" she shouted unnecessarily.

All three of them held out their phones to me.

"My... Line ID?" I repeated.

"Yeah," one of them said. "You know... The messaging app. On your phone."

I pulled out my phone and looked around. The only applications I saw were all the default ones that came with it when Watcher gave it to me. When I typed 'Line' into the search bar, nothing popped up.

"Sorry, it doesn't look like I have it," I said.

"Oh, okay. Then... sorry to bother you."

The three of them quickly scurried off, leaving me dazed and questioning what had just happened. Did I say something wrong? I don't think so, but I feel slightly guilty for some reason.

"Couldn't have entertained them just a little bit?" yet another voice asked, but this was one that I was familiar with.

"What do you want?" I sighed.

"Hah! You didn't even look at me, yet you knew it was me. Am I that special? I know. My voice is just so memorable that you'd recognize it instantly, right? Ah... Maybe you're feeling a little bit of something deep down that you're trying to deny.

"Not a chance."

When I attempted to walk away, Ayaka jumped up in front of me with a confident smirk. She gently pushed the back of her hand against her cheek and tilted her head.

"Well?" she asked.

"What?" I said.

"You still think there isn't a chance that you might unknowingly like me? I won't blame you if you say yes. You wouldn't be the first."

It's unbelievable that someone with her mindset actually exists in this world. Not that I'll ever admit it, but I do think she looks pretty. However, I've never been one to judge someone based on how they look.

In the field, we're taught that no matter how someone may appear, there could be an underlying attribute that can not be seen by the naked eye. I suppose in Ayaka's case, she's a lunatic who uses her status and looks to carry her popularity.

"Are you trying to make yourself feel better by having me validate your assumptions?" I asked. "If so, then you're wasting your time."

"Hmph, you really are a strange one," she muttered. "I even struck a pose for you, but you didn't even react, just like how you coldly turned down those girls who were just asking for your Line ID."

"Sorry to break it to you, but I have no idea what a 'Line ID' is."

"... Eh...? W-what do you mean you don't know?"

"Exactly as it sounds. It hasn't been long since I've begun adjusting to Tokyo, so all of these terms you're throwing around make very little sense to me."

While she stood there, dumbfounded and appalled, I was thinking to myself what this 'Line ID' could possibly be. Perhaps it's a secret line only accessible by specific people to avoid being tracked and followed. That's why an ID is needed for verification.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how insanely ridiculous that sounds. This is the normal world, not the underworld. In order to properly adjust, I need to think like a normal person does. However... I'm far from normal.

"Are you being serious right now? You... really don't know?" she mumbled.

"If that wasn't clear before, then yes. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Like... Actually? There's no way you're that much of a hermit."

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

Ayaka scoffed and pinched her chin as if thinking to herself. I wonder what's on her mind this time. She then pointed her open hand at me while I stared at it.

"What?" I asked.

"Your phone," she said. "Give it to me. I'm gonna download Line for you."

"There's no need for that. I don't even know what it is."

"It's a messaging app. The first step to every friendship is exchanging Line IDs, now come on. Hand it over."

"I refuse."

"Quit being so difficult. At this point, you're gonna be a loner for the rest of your life."

"That sounds pretty nice actually."

"Tch... Give me the goddamn phone."

I let out an exhaustive breath as I handed the phone to her. For a moment, she kept her attention fixed on the screen. For all I know, she could be installing a virus, but I'm sure she doesn't hate me enough to do that. Hopefully...

Ayaka then took out her phone and held it over the screen of my phone. I wonder what she's doing now.

"There," she said as she handed it back. "Watch this."

A sudden ring sounded from my phone and out popped a small notification box at the top of the screen. I pressed it, and it redirected me to an app called Line. On the screen was an empty space followed by a single text bubble.

Ayaka: "Loser."

"What is this...?" I sighed.

"Welcome to Line," Ayaka smiled proudly. "You're welcome, Tsuki. A lot of guys have asked for my Line ID, but I turned down every single one of them. You're the first boy ever to receive mine."

"Am I supposed to be grateful?"

"Why wouldn't you be? A beautiful girl just gave you her Line ID."

"I don't even know what that means, nor did I ask for it."

"Too bad. Flaunt it all you want. Anyway, I'm off now. Try not to spam me too much, hm?"

With that, she walked off. I took one last look at my phone before turning it off and slipping it back into my pocket. What was that all about? And this... 'Line' thing. She mentioned something about rejecting every guy who has asked for her ID, so why did she give me hers?

Suddenly, Ayaka was met with a boy who fell on his knees with a bouquet of flowers. After staring at him for a few seconds, she took the bouquet and dropped it on the ground.

"Don't ever show your face in front of me again," she said with a cruel smile.

And just like that, she took off once more. What a strange girl. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to figure her out.