How Interesting

Itsuki has been talking for the last five minutes, and I haven’t been listening. How can one person just keep talking and talking and talking? Seriously I’m starting to wonder if there is a single person in this school whose presence doesn’t instantly give me migraines. Why can’t this girl go harasses her boyfriend or pet or what the fuck Manyuda is to her? After this damn election is over, I need a long break away from this people.

“Mary would it be okay if I could speak to you?” The robotic tone shocks me. I hate that mask. Itsuki seems to finally shut up at Ririka’s voice. She turns to me and smiles. This girl is almost at bad as Yumeko. I swear if she says anything I will kick her. Ugh she’d probably just find it funny. I swear these school must put something in the water. I wouldn’t put it past Kirari. ‘Oh how fascinating would it be to drive hundreds
of students mad.’ Psycho.

“Bye Mary.” She walks away, a bit too happily for my
liking. I don’t get that girl.

“What’s up Ririka?” She seems a bit nervous, but it’s hard to be certain with that mask covering her face.

“Would you like to eat outside with me today?” She’s looking down at the ground. She’s definitely blushing under her mask. What an idiot. She doesn’t have to be so nervous we’re friends after all. Friends huh? I’m blushing now too. Shit I have to go. Fuck I’m so embarrassing.

“Yeah sure, but you better take off that stupid mask.”

“Okay, I’ll pick you up from your class.” She walks away before she can my face flame up. Pick me up from class! That’s ridiculous. Why is she so cute? Cute...I need to get a hold of myself, besides shouldn’t she be in her class.

————-

She’s standing outside the door. All of the students seem to move around her, not a single one daring to get too close. The mask really does it’s job of scaring away everyone.

“Come on let’s go.” I start walking a few feet before realizing Ririka has yet to move from her spot. What is wrong with this girl today. “What? Why are just standing there?” She mumbles something. “What?” She leaps forward and pulls me into an empty classroom.

“I have to tell you something first.” Her hands are playing with the front of her shirt. You’d think this girl is about to tell me that I only have a day left to live.

“Okay. Well spit it.” I cross my arms. “And take that damn mask off first.” Her hand reaches out for her mask, and she pulls it off. Her hands are shaky, but surprisingly she isn’t blushing. She almost looks
more guilty than nervous. What trouble is she getting me into now?

“Kirari will be joining us for lunch today.” I am not sure if it’s the words or the fact that she whispered them, but my mind can’t quite seem to a get a grip on what she said.

“Huh-I’m sorry what?!” She straightens her back now, and looks me in the eye. I look away.

“Kirari will be joining us for lunch.” So it’s true. Yeah fuck this.

“Did she put you up to this? That fucking bitch. Yeah no way. Not interested. I’d rather eat with literally anyone else.” She looks down again, and my heart skips a beat. Shit.

“Please I’m really worried about her.” Worried? About Kirari? The girl is barely human; why would anyone be worried for her?

“What about her dog? Doesn’t she always eat with her?” Ririka frowns at that before she reaches forward and grabs my hand. I blush.

“Don’t call Igarashi that. She had business to attend to. Kirari will good I promise. If not you can punch me in the face.” What is with this girl and punching?

“I’m not punc—“ She’s smiling now. A joke. Ririka made a joke. Not a great one, but still it’s cut—out of character. Yes that’s the word I’m looking for. I’m so screwed. “Fine but one snide comment from her and I’m leaving.”

“Thank you Mary.” She looks down at her hand gripping mine as if it is some foreign entity. She quickly lets go, and covers her growing blush with her mask. She moves to the door a bit too quickly to be natural.

————-

Kirari is sitting on a bench starting at a flower intently when we approach her. She doesn’t even look up until Ririka calls out her name. Hmm maybe something is wrong. Doubt it. She was probably picturing the most “amusing” way to kill that flower.

“Oh Ririka, and Mary. I doubted you I will not deny it. I should’ve known you can be quite convincing when you want I suppose.” She’s smirking at us. Ririka removes her mask revealing a slight blush on her cheeks. She sits down next to Kirari. I feel out of place. I thought for sure the first emotion I would feel when I came here would be anger not this feeling of being an outsider. I shouldn’t be here that’s what I feel in this moment. “Well aren’t you going to sit next to my sister? She doesn’t bite.” She’s chuckling, and Ririka sends her a glare before patting the spot next to her. I hate this. I sit next to her and start getting my food out.

“Have you eaten your lunch yet, Kirari?” This is a tint of concern in Ririka’s voice, so she wasn’t lying earlier, not like I thought she was in the first place.

“No.” Her tone is flippant. Ririka’s jaw tightens and her right foot taps against the ground. So Kirari irritates her too.

“Must you act out in such reckless ways.” The feeling of wrongness is only growing. I really shouldn’t be here.

Kirari is chuckling again. “Acting out. Whatever could you mean?” Can this girl react with any other emotion than smugness? Is blankness and smirking her only two facial expression?

“You’re right. I must have been mistaken.” Ririka’s head is bowed, and her eyes are sad. I hate her. I hate her. She did it on purpose. She must have, but on Kirari’s face for just an instance her smirk fades and the twinkle in her eyes disappears. They come back full force in an instant.

“How amusing you are Ririka. Don’t you also think she is amusing, Mary?” I take it back it must have been the trick of the light again. My jaw is tightening. I should leave, but I stay for Ririka.

“I am not sure what that means.” My voice is more of a growl than I would like. I’m not even giving her the dignity of a proper answer. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to deter her as smirk remains steady.

“Are you attempting to seduce my sister?” What the hell is wrong with her.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I’m in her face now, but she just keeps smirking.

“Kirari don’t. Let’s go Mary.” She grabs my hand. Her mask is on again, but I can still see her red ears. I look back once.

“Have a nice day.” She’s still smirking as we move away, but as we’re about to leave I look back just once more her eyebrows are drawn together and her fists are shaking. What? What the hell is that?

“She can be so infuriating. Just ignore what she said she just wanted to change the subject.” I cannot though. I know I’m not trying to seduce Ririka, but it doesn’t mean I couldn’t not like her. I mean maybe I do. I do I guess. No no she’s too passive. And cute. And she’s trying so hard. Fuck. I’ve totally fucking fallen in love. With a total dork. “Let’s just eat in a classroom.”