Overloaded With Attributes Chapter 22
Interlude: The Case of Akashi Shizuka, Part 1
A spring day, cherry blossoms dancing in the wind. Today is my entrance ceremony. I agonized over my future path for all three years of middle school... but in the end, I chose the Labyrinth Department at Ourin Academy.
Reason one: It's simply because the job of an "Explorer" pays well. Back when my grandfather (I've never actually seen him at home, but can you believe it, he does exist!) and grandmother were alive... no, that doesn't matter right now. Our family is... not as wealthy as we once were. And I happened to have the aptitude to be an Explorer. It is as simple as that.
The second reason: Kudo Atena. She chose Ourin. She went to my elementary and middle school, and for as long as I can remember, she's always dressed like a boy. She was... very popular with the other girls. ...It's not that I... like her, or anything, of course.
But, you see... it's impossible for the daughter of a fallen noble family like mine to ever be with a real man, isn't it? So... my only other choice is someone like her, who is at least androgynous... right? I pride myself on the fact that my appearance—no, my entire being—is superior to any common woman out there. If a man is impossible... then at least I will have a partner who is easy on the eyes! ...This is all far in the future. It doesn't matter.
And so, I neglected neither my studies, nor my athletics, nor (of course) my personal grooming, and I was accepted into Ourin Academy. I left home a bit early, walking the path I'll be taking for the next three years... but... what is this? The atmosphere feels... strange. In fact... I feel a... sharp gaze... from behind me.
...Am I... being followed? I could understand if I were a high-ranking noble... but a woman like me? Why...?
The stare was so rude, so... intense... I couldn't ignore it. I turned around. Standing there was... someone with a beautiful face... dressed in men's clothes, like Atena-san. Their clothes seemed... even more natural than hers. I stared... and found myself tilting my head. Ah! Our eyes met.
... ... ...
I whipped my head back around so fast it almost made a sound. ...My hair slapped me in the face. That actually... kind of hurt. No! This is no time for that!
...Eh?! A boy?! That was a boy, wasn't it?!
A man... is walking behind me. That alone is impossible! A-a-a-and... our eyes met!
"School commute. A boy student. Our eyes meet."
What is that, some terrible haiku...?! NO!! Wh-wh-wh-what do I do...? If he reports me... no, if anyone around us reports me... this is an incident that will get me suspended... no, expelled!
My life... it seems it's over... No! Wait! It's too soon to give up! He... he hasn't screamed or called for help yet! But... the fact he was staring at me must mean... I did something to displease him, correct?
What... what could I have done? Did my shadow... step on his... without me realizing? Or did my bag's shadow... brush against him? Or... the worst-case... no, the best-case... did the shadow of my face... k-k-kiss... him?! ...No, surely... no one would care about that...
My mind was racing, but I couldn't think of anything! This is... I have no choice but to apologize to him directly... To show my sincerity... I stepped in front of him without hesitation... and prostrated myself on the ground.
"I'm sorry! I don't know what I did to offend you... but... please spare me!" I waited, my head to the pavement, for his words. What I heard... was...
"Eh...? Wh-Wait! What is going on?!" ...A voice... filled with confusion. ...What does this mean...? Ah! Of course! A simple apology... without even knowing what I'm apologizing for... How could he accept that? Even I would be confused!
"...You're... right. To think I'd be forgiven just for bowing... That's... far too... presumptuous of me, isn't it?" But... I don't know what he's feeling... I can't understand what he wants... F... fufu... Tears began to fall from my eyes, hidden as I looked at the ground. So much for "trying my best"! This is my punishment... my cross to bear... for acting so superior to all my "classmates" (other girls). But! How is a girl who's never interacted with a man supposed to know what to do in this situation—?!
I've got it! I've got it! It was... a memory from an "old film" (an adult film)... A naked woman... tied up... and a man was... writing something on her. Yes! The sincerity I was lacking... was—
"Please." "Please what?!" I quickly rummaged through my bag, pulled it from my pencil case, and offered it with both hands, like a tribute. "...A permanent marker?" "Please... write whatever you wish." "Write what?!"
His voice... it's not as sharp as before! ...It seems... this was the correct move. But... if he covers my face in insults, the school will find out. Hoping against hope, I proposed a compromise...
"But... today... is the school entrance ceremony. I... I'm the one giving the new student representative's speech. I'm sorry! I know this is an outrageous request! But... if possible... could you please write... somewhere other than my face? My stomach... my back... or... my butt... I will... expose... whatever part you desire!"
"I SAID, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO WRITE?!" I... I can sense his anger... As I thought... my request was too presumptuous. I must apologize, even if I have to slam my head into the pavement! ...But as I looked up, he spoke to me.
"Um... Look, I apologize for staring at you. So... ...could you please stop... 'backing me into a corner' in this... incomprehensible way?" "Backing... him... into a corner"? Me? What... what could he mean? My mind couldn't process it. I froze.
"I think... there's been some kind of... unfortunate... 'misunderstanding' between us. Look, we can't talk like this. Just... stand up. Stand up." "Talk"? He wants to... talk... to me? Even though I've failed to resolve his anger?
"Honestly... doing something like that... What if you'd scratched your beautiful legs?" He... he was dusting off my knees... and my palms... Eh? What... is this? Am I... still in bed, dreaming?
"...I'm in love." It just... slipped out. But... that's not my fault, is it? I mean... if he does that...
"Ah! Look at the time! Yep, I'm... so sad to leave, but... I gotta go!" He said that and hurried away. I... followed his back... No! I am not "following" him! Or "stalking" him! It... just so happens... that we are going in the same direction!
...Wait... we... actually are going in the same direction. Could it be... he's an Ourin student, too? I... don't think our school has a white uniform like the one he's wearing... I know there are a few male students in the upper grades... but they're all in the General Department. There's no way they'd ever interact with a Labyrinth Department student like me. But... if they are as kind as he is... then maybe...
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