AIRPLANES

"It's so hot."

Isamu leaned back in his seat, propping his feet on the desk and lacing his hands behind his head. He shook the collar of his uniform, feeling the meager draft on his chest, and groaned. "This is terrible."

The classroom was filled with light from the open windows, but there was little real air; the weight of the humidity pressed down upon all the students. The room was alive with talk and laughter. A paper airplane soared through the air briefly before plummeting to the floor. Isamu grimaced, wiped his sweaty hands on his trousers, and tipped his cap to the girl sitting behind him.

"You think so, too, right, Chiaki?" he asked. "It's hot as hell in here."

She flipped through a book lazily, her head held up by a fist, her long brown hair framing her face. "Yes," she sighed, not looking up, "it's hot, Isamu—we're well aware."

He clicked his tongue. "I'm just saying." He turned around and drummed his fingers on his desk, his rings clinging together. "Where's Yuko?" he demanded. "She's never this late."

"Yuko?" Chiaki giggled harshly. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

"You just can't understand," he said and glanced to the other boy sitting to his right. "She just doesn't get it, does she, Haseo?"

"Oh, please," Chiaki laughed, "Haseo's at least moving past puberty." She flashed the boy a quick smile. "Right?"

Haseo glanced between the two, shrugging. "I don't know," he said.

Isamu groaned and turned away. "God, you have no balls, man." He yawned and crossed his hands behind his head again.

"That's funny," Chiaki said, "coming from you."

"What's the deal today?" Isamu let out a sigh. "Get off my case, would ya'?"

"Alright. Fine." Chiaki looked back down at her book. Neither of the three said another word. Over the dreary, hot noise of the classroom, an airplane soared overhead, the rush filling the room loudly.

Isamu clicked his tongue and pulled his cap over his eyes. "Wake me up when class starts—'kay, Haseo?" He closed his eyes, a second later squirming and sighing loudly. "Oh, forget it! I'm so bored!"

"Just settle down," Chiaki said, turning the page. "You need to learn to be patient." A buzz caught her attention; a fly landed on the corner of her desk. She frowned at it. "Ugh." She raised her book, curving it in her hand, poised to bring it down, when Haseo waved his hand, compelling the fly away. Chiaki narrowed her eyes at him. "Why did you do that?"

He shrugged. "You didn't need to kill it."

She pushed her hair back. "It was just a fly." She leaned back, glancing sideways at him. "You know, you've been acting really different lately. Ever since we visited Ms. Takao at the hospital."

Isamu looked up, his ears perking. "She's got a point. You feeling okay?"

"I can't quite figure out what it is," Chiaki said. "You just seem different."

"I'm fine," Haseo said, offering them a small smile. "Nothing to worry about."

"If you say so." Isamu swung back front and yawned. "Anyway. Time to catch some shut-eye."

Chiaki crossed her arms, shrugged. "Well, I'm not really satisfied—but alright." She scrunched up her face. "You know, Isamu, you're right—it really is hot."

DISCLAIMER: Shin Megami Tensei and all related material are the property of their respective copyright holders.