Not everything goes the way we all wanted...

I've only moved in this town and enrolled in Akademi High, but I still can't remove the feeling of being watched. I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid or someone is stalking me.

"Why do I feel...like this...?"

I went to school feeling a bit depressed. It's because of that bad dream I had last night I don't feel well.

This way...we could be together...forever...

You've tampered with something...beyond your control...

You made me feel...differently. I just don't want to lose you!

This world, their lives...it's not yours to change as you wish!

"I think about things too much. What the heck is going on with me?" Being paranoid isn't very like me

In a near distance, I spotted Aishi Ayano walking by herself with an expressionless face

"Hey-"

As I enter the school, I heard fast and heavy footsteps coming closer.

"Yaaaaaah!"

In mere seconds, something...or someone went past me. Something faintly number my shoulder and I fell on my behind. It was so sudden...so swift I didn't notice.

"Oof!"

"Ah! So sorry, miss"

A blonde guy with tanned skin offered his hand and I accepted it. Wow. His grip made it seem like he's doing exercises daily. Heck even his attire has a sporty team.

"I wasn't looking where I was going. Sorry for that. See ya!"

The good looking guy ran off waving his hand. Did he just winked at me? Good thing he's attractive. Wait?! What am I saying?

(Is this...love at first sight?!)

I shook my head. I'm over thinking things again. Just because I find him cute doesn't mean I already have a crush.

"Sh-i-iro~" Monika waved her hand in front of my face

"Monika?"

"You were spacing out"

"Well there's this cute - I mean random guy"

"A guy?"

Her tone briefly switched to an upset one, but I paid no mind to it. On second thought I do mind it...a lot. I mind it a lot!

"He sort of bumped into me, but it was an accident. Anyway he apologized"

"I...see. Shall we head to class?"

"S-sure"

Even if she hides it with a smile, I sensed she's restraining an intense emotion inside. I just feel like she's holding back her emotions.

Classroom...

As I wait for the teacher like the other students, someone burst through the door. Yelling so early in the morning

"New record!"

The same guy from this morning entered the classroom. Why is this cute, energetic guy here?!

"Aso-san, you're early today" One guy laughed

"Of course! I'm setting a new record"

Most students don't have the sane energy as him, but this guy is brimming with enthusiasm and adrenaline rush.

"Oh?! Aren't you the girl earlier?" He ran to where I was sitting

"And you're the guy who loves to run..."

"Yeah, well sorry about that. I just really love marathon and sports!"

(I can see that...)

It's not a big deal, but this guy just apologized again. He's a stranger to me, but I like his face brimming with energy.

"I know! How about I treat you for lunch later?"

"W-what?! You don't have to-"

"Splendid! I'm treating you to lunch later!"

"Wait! I didn't even-"

Before I could reject his kind offer, the teacher walked in and this signalled the students to return to their proper seats. For some reason the two girls beside me...feels very menacing and murderous for some reason.

"Mr. Rito Aso. I'm glad you're not late...again"

"See, teacher? I can do things if I try. Ahahahaha!"

"Well, Mr. Rito...if you're late in class again...I'm sending you to the guidance counselor. You're like Mr. Shidesu Osoro..."

"That's because we're buddies!"

Even if the teacher is threatening him, he just keeps smiling. I like this guy already.

"For today's lesson, I am going to discuss about..."

Throughout the class, I can still feel a murderous aura somewhere. I'm afraid to look for the source as I might die if I do so.

(Does this school has a bloodthirsty killer or something?)

I tried to trail off my focus somewhere, but I ended up focusing on the guy whose name is apparently Ruto Aso.

(Damn it, Shiro! Focus!)

Even if I say that to myself, I could barely focus at what the teacher is saying with the murderous intent and that Aso guy.

Lunch...

I sighed in relief when the first half of the period is done. The lesson isn't hard, but focusing is. I've been paranoid recently. Maybe I should see a doctor or something.

"Heeeeey there!" Ruto Aso waved his hand in front of me

"My name is Shirogane"

"Okay, Shiro-san, shall we go?"

"Heh?"

"Did you forget? I'm treating you to lunch as an apology"

(Aaah. That)

He seems so nice I can't just reject him. Damn this guy and his attractiveness.

"Fine..."

"Great! Grab your bento and let's go!"

He grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the room. It wasn't really too forceful.

"Shiro-san, you're new here, right? This is the first time I saw you"

"Yeah. I transferred here a few days ago"

"Oooooh"

"Now that I think about it, this is the first time I saw you even if we're in the same class"

"It's probably because I sprained my leg while I'm doing laps on the track field. I was absent for a few days"

He really likes sports. Marathon to be exact. I wonder if he does weightlifting too? He seems to be the type with a toned body.

"Whats with you and your obvious love for sports?"

"It's because I'm the president of the sports club!"

"Is that so?"

I kind of expected he's a part of a sports club or something. Speaking of clubs...maybe I should think on joining one. Maybe some other time when I check on the other clubs.

"You really don't need to do this. It's not a big deal"

"It is to me. A real gentleman always compensates for the lady"

"He He he. That's doesn't even make sense"

"I know!"

We both laugh and stare at each other for a while. When we got to the cafeteria, I didn't ask much.

"Here's your sandwich"

He found a spot where we can eat together peacefully. Wait - what?!

"Since you're new here and all, I should tell you this" His voice suddenly became serious

"Tell me what?"

"There might be a dangerous person in this school"

"Dangerous...person...?"

He looked at his surroundings before looking at me. It's like he's being cautious or something.

"Two students. Ruto Oka and Osana Najimi. Both of them were poisoned on two separate occasions"

"What?!"

"The school wouldn't say anything, but I know only one person killed them both...and that person is in this school"

Now that's terrifying. Being poisoned is one horrible way to die so early.

"Then there's Yamada Taro. An upperclassman"

(Yamada?!)

If I remember correctly, Monika mentioned that name before. Right! When I first met her on the rooftop.

Be careful. Yamada-san fell from there

"No one knows what happened. Some students just saw him jump, but I don't believe he committed suicide"

"Then he was murdered?"

"That's what I think. I know him and that guy wouldn't just go kill himself from the school rooftop"

His hand tensed up. Aso-san must be friends with him to feel that way.

"I'm not scaring you or anything. I just want you to be careful since I feel like whoever did those is still around here in this school"

"Okay. I'll be careful"

"Good!" He gave a thumbs up

Before I could say anything else, Monika tapped me on the shoulder.

"Shiro...there you are"

"Monika?"

"Pretty lady!"

"Why don't we head back to class...now..."

"H-heh? Sure..."

I felt another restrain in her tone. Is Monika angry or something? I can't tell with the way she speaks and act.

"I-I'll be going on ahead"

"Okay!" He grinned

He waved goodbye and I did the same. He really is a nice a guy. I wonder why Monika insisted on going back to the classroom.

"You should be a little more careful when with other people. It's dangerous, you know"

"I see..."

I want to tell her about what Aso-san told me, but something tells me I should keep what I learned. For some reason...I just have to watch my back, even from Monika.

After class...

The bell for the end of the day run and as the students pack their bags and leave one by one, I thought about what Rito-san said.

"Hey, Monika-?"

When I turned to my side, she suddenly disappeared. This is...unusual. She just disappeared somewhere. Her bag is still there so she hasn't went home yet.

"Hmm?"

Same goes with Aishi Ayano. The bag is there, but not the student who owns it. This is one weird day.

"Monika said we'd walk home together..."

It would be just rude if I left her so I decided to wait. After about fifteen minutes, she hasn't returned yet and I'm already thinking of looking for her.

"What was that?"

I heard a loud noise coming outside of the classroom. No one was there when I went outside. Yet for some reason I sense someone else is here...and it's not good.

"Monika, Is that you?"

I went to look for her in the empty hallways and rooms. She didn't even say where she went off to. I just hope she's not pulling some sort of prank or something.

"Huh?"

I think I saw someone in the gym so I decided to go there. The school is empty of students now so I feel a dread in my chest.

"Is...anyone there?"

I opened the door in a storage room inside the gym while holding my breath. I sighed in relief when no one was there.

"Shiro-san"

"Gyah!"

My body jolted she someone touched my shoulder. Good thing it's only Rito-san.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home?"

"Well...I can't really leave without Monika"

"Ah. The pretty lady"

"Have you seen her? I can't find her everywhere and I feel like there's a stalker here or something"

"Nope...but you shouldn't be wandering in the school at this time"

He told me worryingly. He has a point with the dangerous person issue and among other things.

"How about you?"

"Me? I sometimes stay even after school because a lot has been concerned lately...about someone dangerous on the loose"

"Ah. That's right. That's issue and stuff"

I didn't really mention about what he told me since I feel uneasy just thinking about it.

"I really shouldn't have left the classroom. Monika might have been back and I'm not there"

"Yeah. You know what? I'll go with you on the way back just to be safe"

On the way back to the main building, my instincts suddenly alarmed me of danger. I ran to Rito-san and pushed both of ourselves.

"Whoa!"

A bucket filled with dumbbells crashed on the ground. A split second and Rito-san's skull might have been cracked.

"Whoa! Close call" He sighed in relief

I looked at where the dumbbell was dropped. Whoever almost killed him quickly fled.

"Nice reflexes you got there, Shiro-san. Thanks for the save"

"No problem..."

"This is why you shouldn't be alone during these hours" He sighed

"Yeah..."

The hell is with this school?! I never thought I'd be enrolled in a school where there's a killer on the loose.

"Monika?"

Exiting the main building is Monika with her and my bag on both of her hands.

"Shiro, there you are. You were gone when I got back"

"Sorry. I heard something and went to investigate"

"Is that so?" She handed me my bag

"Ms. Monika, did you happen to see someone acting strangely or something"

Rito-san suddenly asked. Monika tilted her head in confusion.

"No I did not. Why?"

"Well...someone almost smashed my skull. Good thing Shirogane here saved me in the nick of time. Ahahahaha!"

"Oooh..." Monika covered her mouth

"Anyway, you two ladies should be careful on the way home. The streets are not very safe lately"

"Don't worry, Aso-san...I doubt someone would be foolish...to lay a hand at Shiro" Well that's unsettling

As Monika and I turned away, I saw Aishi Ayano walk in a fast phase past us. Is she on a hurry or something? She's a strange girl, but she seems interesting.

"She's very mysterious. Maybe that's why I find her interesting" I smiled

"..."

"Monika?"

"Ah! Y-yes?"

"Are you okay?"

"Sorry. I was just thinking about something important"

"Right..."

Ever since I started talking to Rito-san this, Monika started acting a bit unusual. Maybe she has a lot in mind? I can't really guess what she's thinking.

"Well then...I'll see you tomorrow"

"Yeah. See you tomorrow"

She went to her house and I went to mine. This day has been unusual. Both in a good way and bad way. The good thing that happened is I met a really nice guy and the bad thing that happened is I learned there's a killer in the school and Rito-san almost died.

"Monika..."

There's something unusual about her, but I just can't put my finger on it. I know she's a friend, but I feel like...there's something...dangerous about her. For the past few days, she's been kind to me...so I shouldn't doubt the girl I call my friend.