"speech"
'thoughts'
POV of a character
TENZAI
Chapter 1
Why It All Started
- Kanzaki -
The wind is probably the most soothing thing in this world. Just staring into nothingness and feeling the presence, the movement and the sound of the wind relaxes my mind and frees it from its thoughts that are grisly to many.
Yes. A genius like me does not want to think at times, too. People often associate the word genius with extreme 24/7 thinking but they're wrong. Even geniuses need some time off.
And oh! The waters.. Try looking into the urbane fluidity of those cerulean depths and your mind will be filled with comfort. Cherubic joy.
Since I was a child, the wind and the waters have been my best friends. Not the girls my age who cry merely because their brothers ruin the hair of their dolls. I'm not as shallow as them. Dolls and candies are not my idea of enjoyment.
Together with the books people of IQ 200 usually read, the whispering wind and the lissome waters give me the limpid atmosphere I need all the time.
Just like today.
You're asking where I am? Well, where else could you find the peace and quiet I've been describing but in the ocean?
Yes, you read it right. I'm currently in a ship cruising my way to Okinawa.
No. I'm not on a field trip again with Onizuka and the others. If I was with them, no silence will be available even just for a while. They are probably in the rooftop of Seirin now, laughing their hearts out because of an argument between Onizuka and Murai.
All of them.
Well, not really.
Kikuchi has just emerged from the foyer of the ship, yawning and stretching when he saw Kanzaki standing in the far end of the ship's deck.
- Kikuchi -
What a lovely day! A day away from the hustle and bustle of the city is certainly a day to be thankful for..
It feels really great to free your mind of the boring lecture of teachers. Not that they are burdens to me. I don't need to listen to them anyway. I actually don't need to lift a finger to get good grades.
But still..! Getting away from those and knowing that you'll still ace in the honor role would make any student chortle.
And chortling, Kikuchi actually did. With that, the other genius immediately glowered at the guy who confounded her peace.
"What are you laughing at?"
Upon hearing the question, Kikuchi broke from his trance, too.
"Oh.. A pleasant morning to you, Kanzaki."
The girl just continued looking at him, nonplussed as he ambled to her side. To her disappointment, he just leaned on the railing and stared at the oceans, just like what she did earlier.
But Kanzaki Urumi doesn't leave any question unanswered.
"So?"
But Kikuchi Yoshito seems to have forgotten, well, neglected the question. Instead of answering, it is now his turn to look in disbelief.
Kanzaki sighed.
'What's with this guy??'
"You're losing it, Kikuchi. I asked you what you were laughing at."
He then remembered about the repeated question and looked back at the waters.
"When do people laugh, Kanzaki?"
Seeing that it might start another repartee, Kanzaki turned her gaze to the ocean and answered.
"When they're going demented."
Kikuchi laughed a bit and said,
"If that's the case, everybody could have been crazy by now..."
He looked at the latter..
"... Including you."
.. And smiled.
Kanzaki looked at him and replied,
"People don't just laugh without reason. There must be a reason. Any. Even just a silly observation they had."
Kikuchi narrowed his eyes before answering.
"Don't worry. It's not that I observed anything silly about you, or something."
Kanzaki looked at him and raised her left eyebrow.
"Eh?"
Kikuchi smiled at her.
"I guess I'm just happy."
Kanzaki smiled again.
"I can see that. You've been smiling and laughing a lot since you went out. What I'm asking is why you're happy."
Kikuchi replied.
"And you've been sighing a lot. Anyway, aren't you happy that we're having peace away from the noisy city and while doing so, we are still guaranteed of even higher grades than before?"
Taking in what he said, Kanzaki nodded.
"I am, actually."
She then returned her focus to the scenic beauty in front of her.
Kikuchi smiled contentedly at the outcome of their conversation and took time to take in the beauty in front of him – scenic and not Though he'd never admit it.
- Kikuchi -
I don't know what brought us here so suddenly. Nevertheless, I'm still glad that she's the one I'm with – not somebody else.
FLASHBACK
"What did they say?" Yoshikawa asked.
"Well.." I started. Pretty lame start, I guess.
"C'mon, everyone's been wondering why the two of you have been called to that detention.. Um... The principal's office." Murai said, elbowing me.
I arched my eyebrow a bit.
"Detention?" I asked.
"Hehe.." Murai replied, suddenly being so sheepish.
Fujiyoshi answered for him.
"Well, you see, most students they call there are subject for detention. Unlike you, we get called there for failing in our exams, bringing porn magazines, or vandalizing in the comfort rooms. That's why we call it detention cell."
I nodded. I sort of knew from the beginning what he'll answer do I didn't push the topic.
Murai snapped up and said,
"So?"
I just looked at him.
"Why did they call you there? I didn't know geniuses are allowed there..! Hehe.."
I sighed and looked at them one by one. I had to make it sound simple so I went straight to the point.
"The Seirin Research Council requested us to do their latest experiment about echolocation in Okinawa."
They looked at each other, befuddled. Eventually Yoshikawa spoke up.
"Just the two of you?"
"Aa. They said we're the only ones qualified for the job."
Murai spoke again. This time, with a bit of disgust.
"If I know, they are only willing to pay up for two people."
However, Fujiyoshi ignored Murai's comment and asked,
"So what did you say?"
"I said I'll think about it."
Kusano reacted.
"Why?? Are you afraid you'll miss the lessons?"
I turned away from them and looked down the campus Did I tell you that we're on the rooftop?
"It's not that. You know all too well that even if we absent ourselves for six months, we'd still be able to catch up with the lessons. Besides, they said they'll give us additional grades for it."
Kusano asked again, backing-up for his last statement.
"If that's the case, why don't you just grab the opportunity and start packing for you trip??"
Murai also asked, sarcasm obvious in his voice.
"Yeah.. Are you afraid of the dangers of marine life?? Eh?"
Of course I answered him with sarcasm, too.
"Very funny, Murai. Very funny."
"Oh, I know. It's not those that Kikuchi's afraid of." Fujiyoshi exclaimed.
The others turned their attention to him and said in chorus, "What?"
"It's not a 'what'. It's a 'who'."
He approached me with a macabre look and said in a low voice,
"It's Kanzaki, ne?"
My eyes widened a bit at his comment and i stood there, shocked.
Not that I was shocked for being divulged. What I was thinking was not related to Kanzaki at all. Besides, she's the one I hang out with most of the time. I mean, we understand each other. I guess it's because our intellectual wavelengths, of not the same, are not far from each other.
Kusano reacted, too.
"You have a point there. Kanzaki can be dangerous. And being alone with someone like her can be creepy."
I don't know what made them think that but now that they mentioned it, it could actually be suicide to be with Urumi Kanzaki, genius extraordinaire, the girl who had bombed a school in her childhood.
I guess I've been thinking for quite a while 'coz after that, Murai also approached me.
"Now guys, why would you think that? We all know that Kikuchi and Kanzaki are really close friends."
But of course, with the way Murai said his words, You know, a way that's really.. ugh.. teasing. I just had to object, or rather, deny.
"Not really, Murai. Number one, I'm no closer to her than anybody else in here. Number two, that girl could actually be a threat to humanity. And I'm not an exception."
Upon saying my line, the genius herself emerged from out of nowhere. Speaking of the devil
She approached us with those tantalizing eyes, one, when coming from her, is malignant. Remember her innocent, pleading eyes when the police accused Onizuka of raping her? Yeah, that one.
"Oh, I'm forlorn, Kikuchi-kun."
Of course, the others turned their attention to the newcomer and gasped.
"Of all people I thought you were the one who understood me.. I fonly I knew you thought of me as a threat to humanity!!"
She covered her face and 'cried'.
The others looked at me like I'm a criminal. They gave me that go-on-and-say-sorry look that although I know she's just goofing around, I had to say sorry. Besides, it could have possibly hit her. Even just a bit. I never wanted to hurt a girl, you know. Most especially Kanzaki.
So I approached her a bit hesitantly.
"Gomen, gomen Kanzaki. I didn't know you were listening."
She continued her cries nonetheless.
"You mean to say, you'd still say that about me when I'm behind your back just because I'm not listening? Some friend."
This girl can really think of an answer quite fast.
"No, it's not that—"
I was about to reach for her slumped shoulders when she snapped up.
"So, you're not afraid of me?"
See? This girl really thinks fast.
"Of course I'm not! Who told you I am?!"
She folded her arms, her tears miraculously 'disappeared'.
"I can read between the lines, you know."
I know that. When I said she's a threat to all of us, I knew it went out like I am afraid of her, of being with her alone in Okinawa. But there's a difference. I said that so that Murai won't go on teasing.
"Me of all people? I repeat, I am not afraid of you, Urumi Kanzaki."
Then she grinned and said,
"If you're not, then there's no reason not to go to Okinawa with moi."
I knew it. It'd all come down to this. My lips are quite fast. I didn't even register it in my mind when I answered one stupid word that probably made me look stupid.
"Eh?"
She was about to go away, leaving dumbfounded Murai, Fujiyoshi, Yoshikawa and Kusano behind when I said,
"Okay, okay. I'd go. If that's the only way to prove it, I'm going."
She looked back at us and smiled that victorious smile.
END FLASHBACK
So here I am today, gazing into the ocean, miles away from home and nearing Okinawa.
Not bad, after all.
I'm not certain of what'll happen next but—
His thoughts were interrupted when the husband and wife in charged of accompanying them and seeing to it that they're safe and unharmed, went out.
"We're arriving in thirty minutes."
Kanzaki replied,
"Hai."
Then the couple went back in.
Kanzaki told Kikuchi,
"I'm gonna go fix my stuff. I suggest you do the same thing."
With that, she's off.
A minute after, Kikuchi followed.