How Interesting

Nervous. Nervous! Yumeko has to be one of the most interesting infuriating people to walk this planet. ‘Oh Mary you seem awfully nervous today.’ How the hell can see read me so damn easily I’ll never win against her at this rate. How the hell could she even tell? And somehow I don’t doubt that Yumeko might be completely aware of this date. Maybe she actually doesn’t know though? Certainly, she wouldn’t waste such an opportunity on not teasing me or looking down at me or whatever the fuck she’s always trying to do.

It doesn’t matter. She’s gambling again today, so I’ll barely have to see her. Really I should do more. Sure I gambled a little this morning and yesterday after school, but still I am behind. And now I know that Ririka is not interested in victory, so it really is up to me to tear apart this school. If I want to win, I’ll have to do better. I refuse to stay beneath everyone. It’s the mindset of a loser. The mindset of someone fine with mediocrity. That’s not me.

How much longer is this damn class? One minute. Finally this teacher’s voice is absolutely sleep inducing . What the hell? I can see someone standing outside the class from the open door. Ririka. What the hell is she doing here? It’s not even lunch next period. It’s making me a little nervous. What if something is wrong?

The bell rings. I have a bad feeling about this. It’s fine maybe it’s just about tonight nothing to worry about. I’ll just pull her aside, and ask her what’s up. Just a few steps. Why am I even nervous? Is it cause of tonight or something else?

“Saotome, I would like to speak to you.” Really? Never would have guessed. I hate that damn mask. “Please follow me.” Hmm so I won’t have to be the one pulling her aside. She turns into an empty classroom then looks back to me, probably to see if I’m still following. It’s cute. I shut the door behind us; don’t need to deal with curious eyes and ears.

“So what do you need?” Her mask it off now, and her eyes are downcast. Nervous? No, no guilt perhaps? Both maybe, but why?

“Umm. So I know we have that date today?” Her cheeks flush at the word date. I think I smile at it. “But umm I am kind of worried for Kirari.” And just like that the smile is gone. Worried for Kirari? She’s a monster...why does Ririka always feel obligated to do everything for her? You’d think becoming closer with Ririka would mean I’d hate her sister less. I guess not.

“What’s there to worry about? It’s Kirari?” I just don’t get it.

“Sayaka left the Student Council after a fight.” I heard rumors of it. I just assumed they were not real; I mean Sayaka leaving Kirari who’d believe that. But if it’s true, good for her I guess. That’s definitely not the thing to say right now though.

“So...Kirari doesn’t give a shit about anyone but herself.” Maybe it’s a little too cruel. Jesus I’m a fucking idiot.

“Yes does. She really cares about Sayaka. She just doesn’t understand. Please Mary come see her with me at lunch.” It should be easy to say no. I don’t care about Kirari, and honestly the thought of her suffering is actually quite nice, but she is Ririka’s sister. Fuck.

“Fine but if she’s a rude bitch like last time. I’ll slap her or something.”

“Okay. She won’t be I promise.” Her smile is too cute; I have to look away from it.

———————

“I still don’t really get why you want me to come with you?” We’re walking to the student council room, and I’m starting to regret my decisions already.

“I just thought you might have an idea to help, and I don’t want you to think I am just using Kirari as an excuse.” It’s almost sad that Ririka came to me for help. It’s a clear sign I’m one of the only people she can trust. I’m not any different I guess. Sure I have Yumeko and Ryota, but both of their interests lay elsewhere. They’d never put me before their own interests. I wonder would Ririka? I can’t be certain; it’s hard to know what she even wants at the end of the day. And what about me? Would I throw away this election for her? I want to say no, but it would be lie. God it’s a bit pathetic. Is this how my parents became what they are? It doesn’t matter.

“Sure whatever. Do you want me to say anything or?” I still don’t see how my presence will help anything.

“I don’t know.” She’s looking down; I can just picture her face beneath the mask. Her eyebrows are probably bunched together in worry, and her checks are probably lightly dusted pink. We are at the door.

“Okay, I’ll follow your lead.” She nods at then opens the door. God this is going to go terribly. She takes the first few steps in, and I follow her. Kirari is sitting in her chair staring across the room at her aquarium. She doesn’t even turn her head at the door opening. Some sort of way to automatically start the interaction with the power in her hands? Or is what Ririka said true?

“Hey Kirari. I brought Mary with me.” It’s weird hearing someone calling her by her name. It never happens probably some weird power trip shit. There’s no answer from her; it pisses me off. “How have you been?” Again no answer. Don’t make a scene. I look over to Ririka to see her reaction. It’s hard with that mask on, but I know she’s frowning. Her back is more tense than usual. She must notice my glance cause her head moves a little to look towards me. Is it possible to see a plead through a mask?

“Hello President.” I hate speaking to her. I hate being in this room with her. Her lack of an answer once again just pisses me off. I cannot deny the weirdness of it though.

“How did your gambles go?” Another attempt. She doesn’t turn her head to look at us, but she leans into the palm of her hand more.

“I wonder what would happen if I took a hammer to this fish tank. How would it break? Would all of the fish come flooding out? Or would some remain in the empty tank? They’d die. All of them. They’d flop around uselessly looking for water. For survival. They’d find nothing though. Just more dryness. I wonder what that feels like? Is it the same as drowning? I wonder what it feels like to drown. Or do you think it would be more similar to being burnt alive? I’d like to know. It’s curios isn’t it.” What the fuck? She truly is twisted. I shouldn’t be surprised I have seen her eyes up close, and there was nothing good in them. What does Ririka think of this? I look back over to her. She’s taking off her mask; her face is soft, worried. I never knew it was possible for someone to look at the President in such a way, while besides her delusion secretary. Ririka starts approaching her, and she rests her hand on her shoulder.

“Kirari, are you you’re okay? You love those fish why would you wish for them to die?” Kirari? Love? Certainly the two don’t belong in the same sentence.

“Love? Don’t be silly, Ririka, it is simply a mere fascination.” It’s subtle, but I can see a flicker of annoyance in Ririka. That’s new. She takes her hand off her shoulder.

“Are you sure? You spent days researching the best conditions for your fish. If that’s not out of love, then what?” I find it unlikely she would actually do the research herself.

“I have a curious mind Ririka. I wanted to know for my own sake. Nothing more.” I starting to think this may be more than just a discussion about a fish tank. Why can’t these two girls speak in a normal way? Using metaphors to talk...could you get any weirder?

“Is that true? You’d feel nothing if these fish of yours died? Not for even a single one?” I want to be literally anywhere else. How could I let Ririka draw me into this conversation?

“Ririka why would I? They are replaceable.” It feels heavy in the room now. Awkward maybe. She’s lying though I can tell, and that has some unsettling implications. What if Kirari really isn’t the monster I have always thought?

“Replaceable of course. How did your gambles go today?” I heard rumors that Kirari had cancelled her gambles. I dismissed it as mere gossip, what else could it, but the tone of Ririka’s tells a different story.

“Hmm. I cancelled them.” It seems a bit reckless, even for her. Does she truly not care about winning this election?

“Why?” I really want to leave.

“I simply was not in the mood for a gamble. Must you question everything so deeply.” I really want to leave. I don’t have any siblings, but even I know that this is a personal conversation. Perhaps I should slip out?

“Really? And Sayaka has nothing to do with this?” Does she really care that much about Sayaka?

“Why would she my sister?” She moves her left hand in a gesture of nonchalance before turning her eyes away from the aquarium. She’s smirking as her eyes flicker to me for a moment before back to Ririka. Her eyes are strange, less predatory more empty. I cannot decide which is worst. Ririka’s hand clenches. Her face is cold now. It resembles that girl I saw in the gambles. It brings a shiver down my spine, from what I cannot be sure.

“Oh I just assumed you might be searching for a new secretary.” Her voice is cold too. Firm. It is nothing like her usual robotic tone or her usual flustered tone. It’s a bit cruel even, and it makes my knees a bit weak. What is wrong with me?

“Why assume that? There is an election going on.” She sounds almost pissed?

“Oh. You aren’t planning on winning?”

“I suppose you’re right I should look for a replacement secretary.” Her voice cracks a bit, and she clears her throat. “For Igarashi.” She looks a bit...sad. And Ririka looks a bit guilty. Fuck I hate this. I hate this. She looks too damn upset. Do something.

“You should come eat dinner with us.” What? No. Why did I say that? What the hell is wrong with me? Why?

“I’m not particularly interes—“

“Please come Kirari.” Her voice is soft again; I can’t decide if the quick change is frightening or impressive. Her eyes are pleading...I’d never be able to resist. I wonder is Kirari the same? She stands up now and starts to walk towards the door. Is she really about to leave without answering? What a bitch?

She opens the door, but before she leaves, she turns back and says, “I suppose it could be interesting.” Fuck me. The door slams shut behind her.

“I’m sorry I don’t why-why I-“ She hugs me. My face is on fire I know it. Normally this sort of thing would piss me off, but it doesn’t bother me when it’s Ririka.

“Thank you. I didn’t know what to say, and I’m just really worried about her.” I hug her back.

“It’s fine.” I’m screwed.

—————

I’m a total fucking idiot. What the hell is wrong with me? I totally forgot. This is a disaster. Kirari is going to probably make a scene or some shit and then Ririka will hate me. No I can just cancel or switch locations. Yeah that it’ll work. I’ll just text Ririka that they are close—

“Mary-“ Fuck “-is this the restaurant?” It’s Ririka, her real voice; it’s a bit of a surprise. I thought she would have worn her mask.

“Yes.” I wish it was not. I still can’t believe how much of an idiot I am.

“How interesting. Is this where what’s the word, hmm, finically challenged people eat?” Honestly it pisses me off, but I don’t have time to deal with Kirari’s bitchy ways of coping. Not when disaster might be moments away. Fuck Ririka’s going to pissed.

“Okay well let’s go in.” Both Ririka and Kirari move to enter the restaurant, but I grab Ririka’s wrist and pull her in close.

“Sayaka works here.” Here eye’s widen a bit. “I forgot.”

“It’s fine we’ll just have to make sure Kirari doesn’t see her, so she doesn’t do something...umm.”

“Evil? Bitchy? Idiotic?” She definitely would.

“Ill-advised. I just don’t want her to mess it up more.” This is why am I here in this situation. Ririka actually cares for Kirari, and that means wishing harm on Kirari is wishing harm on Ririka. “It’s fine we’ll just keep them apart.”

“I wonder Saotome are you planning to perhaps make a move on my sister here on the sidewalk? Don’t let me stop you if you are. It would be terribly amusing.” It’s for Ririka. Ririka. I’ll focus on keeping Kirari from seeing Sayaka if she actually is working, and that’ll help me block out how much I hate her.