Chapter II-Chilling Surprise?

Both Yumi and Jeremie saw Hiroshi walk away, the girl feeling sorry for him while the young genius gave him a cold stare, as if he was nothing but an enemy in disguise

Odd and Ulrich are waiting in the cafeteria already…let's go talk to them- spoke Jeremie angrily

Let's go- replied Yumi in her usual calm manner

The stride towards the cafeteria went by in silence, until they met up with the remainder of the team, who had already grabbed a seat and were enjoying their trays full of food

Hi Yumi, hi Jeremie- said Ulrich, turning away from his plate while Odd simply kept on eating, throwing a hand wave at the girl and boy thus acknowledging their presence

Hey- they both replied at unison

Odd…could you stop eating for an instant...I need to talk to you guys about something-

Odd stopped almost immediately. Since Yumi had never interrupted his feasting; the fact that she had to in due of something important was rather surprising.

What's wrong Yumi?-

Do you guys remember the incident with my friend Hiroshi and the wrecking ball a month ago?-

Yea…I've got a nice image of it- replied Odd, pushing away his tray in mild disgust

Seems like something went wrong when we returned to the past that day-

Why do you say that?- queried Ulrich, showing dull interest in the matter

Before we returned to the past today, he said something to me…something disturbing…seems he has been having nightmares about the incident ever since it happened; and about three days ago, he began to hallucinate scenes from the event-

Odd's mouth dropped in surprise due to the past comment, yet Ulrich didn't seem to be afflicted with any kind of surprise or shock

It's not that amazing- he said coldly –even if something did go wrong…who's gonna believe him…he isn't the most sane person in campus you know-

Why are you being so mean Ulrich? What did he do to you?- asked the young Asian, receiving a simple stare as a response –Ok, act like that, but I still say we need to do something about this-

Slightly tipping his glasses, Jeremie finally spoke up –Adding him to the team isn't just "something"-

Once again, Odd's jaw dropped, not yet recovered from the first shock

Add Hiroshi to the team?- Exclaimed Ulrich –Why?-

Because he deserves to know!- replied Yumi, her eyes showing glimpses of fury –He's thought himself insane for the best part of his life now, and we're gonna give him the reason to truly be sick?-

He's not trustworthy! Someone like him is either a poser or a lunatic!- shouted Jeremie, joining the dispute

Yes he is, he's one of the most trustworthy persons out there!-

Around you, but what about us…does he trust us?-

Well…actually, no…-

That settles it!- spoke up Odd, causing the debaters to fall silent –I'll talk to him, there's still some time before lunch ends-

You're not going Odd- stated Yumi coldly –he saw you during the attack; there's no telling what he'd do if he saw you again, face to face-

That proves my point- added Ulrich –if he's so unexpected, how can we trust him to remain calm during a massive XANA attack?-

well, because…- the girl's tone began to grab an air of doubt, yet she quickly recovered as Odd got up and left the table –Don't do it Odd, really…-

Don't worry, I got the feeling nothing's gonna happen…- he replied calmly, his shape now lost inside the mass of students leaving the building. Both Jeremie and Ulrich simply shook their heads.

The blonde walked up and down the school, trying to find the elusive Hiroshi. After a couple of minutes of nonstop searching, he found him leering down the hall were it all had happened, he was muttering something to himself as his eyes followed an invisible shadow.

Odd approached Hiroshi, who kept his stare fixed down the hall. He began to speak, yet was abruptly interrupted by the newfound youth.

For the last two weeks- he said in a depressing tone –I've been studying this hallway, trying to figure out the how and why of my nightmares, but I never discover more than I already know; no new ideas, no new feelings, no new images; nothing. Strangely enough, unlike common dreams, these visions refuse to fade, they refuse to become blurry or unidentifiable; they're always clear as daylight- he turned to the blonde, his eyes fixing upon Odd's purple clothes –So, why did you come here Odd?-

Dunno…just felt curious- he showed a wide grin, yet it disappeared upon Hiro's stale expression –wanted to know what these "nightmares" were all about-

You know very well, all of you know- replied Hiroshi, his eyes now fixed upon Odd's –Not a hallucination- he said to himself before looking away, yet the blonde caught it quite easily

You thought I was an illusion?- he stated, trying to shake off a strange feeling give to him by Hiroshi's gaze, who refused to reply -Wow, you really are messed up- yet the other student simply shrugged at the remark

So…Yumi says you don't trust us- Odd's voice now reflected a weak nervousness. Yet Hiroshi's voice was as dry and emotionless as ever.

I trust few men-

Why?-

No response

Oh ok…then- a sudden silence struck, making Odd utter the first that came to mind, trying to defeat that weird nervousness -hey, I haven't seen you around the campus, are you a boarder?-

No, just a day student-

Like Yumi…are you two on the same class?- he realized how stupid this remark was, but he was getting more uncomfortable by the moment. Yet Hiro didn't seem to notice, for he replied calmly.

Yea, we've been in the same classroom since school began, -

So, how long have you guys known each other?-

Two months-

But you've been with her for?-

Two years now-

Why hadn't you talked to her since then?- he asked, slightly surprised, the nervousness had now dissipated and transformed into a feeling of curiosity

The opportunity never came up- replied Hiroshi; though his tone reflected little emotion, inside he was quite glad someone was finally asking him this kind of things; he had never shared a casual conversation, they were all either Schoolwork related or of a more serious background; never casual. Of course he ignored Odd's true intent; to see if he was trustworthy or not. Yet it seemed he was also forgetting the target of the conversation.

Why did you begin talking to her?- he asked again, curious of what the "opportunity" he referred to was.

Well, we were at a concert and the band was a Spanish one…Sangre Putrida was their name, Old school metal was their game- he smirked –I was almost singing along while the rest of the crowd could barely understand the lyrics; Yumi was one of them, so I approached her, and asked if she wanted me to tell her what the song was about; she said yes and, well, we began talking-

And?- he said again, expecting a climatic end to the tale

The night ended and we went our separate ways-

And?- he said again, his expectations growing now worse

Well, Monday came and went, Tuesday came and went; finally Wednesday came and she approached me, wondering how I knew Spanish; I told her I was of Spanish roots and…well…she told me she was Japanese…and…that's about it-

That's it? That's it! I thought you were…like…I don't know…kick ass friends or whatnot!-

In my case, friendships with girls don't go as with other fellers; I rarely disrespect them by…groping and…insisting…that's just disgraceful; guess Yumi noted that and considered me her friend…of course we've talked more after that…a lot more…specially this last month, after the dreams began; she began to tell me less of herself and ask more things about me and my past…-

This said, Odd quickly remembered the original intent of the conversation but simply dismissed it. "There's always tomorrow" he said to himself as Hiroshi ended the tale.

So…Odd, if that's your real name…what can you tell me of yourself; what kind of music do you like; what classroom are you in…where are you from?- asked the young rocker, his voice less tense and more relaxed, yet still with that common coldness.

Odd smiled –Well, first off, that is my real name…kinda odd ain't it?- Hiroshi smirked –Second, I like all music…but Alter Rock is my favorite, it's just so…so..-

Alternative?- joked the listener

hehe- he let out a slight giggle –yep. Third, I'm in the same class as Jeremie and Ulrich-

Yumi's Ul…- began to say Hiro, yet quickly shushed, remembering his promise to Yumi to hold that little piece of information in secret –friend, Ulrich?-

His brow raised due to the shifty save, the blonde replied –Yep, that Ulrich…and Jeremie's the guy she was talking to outside of the cafeteria-

The other blonde-

Yep-

So I'm guessing you're all pretty good friends-

Well, the real friendship is between Yumi and Ulrich, but it seems to be something more than a simple friendship…Jeremie and I are friends, but not as close as Ulrich and I or Yumi and him-

Oh, right; I get it now-

Now, fourth and last…I'm from…-
Suddenly, the bell rang, announcing the end of the lunch hour

Oh, sorry, have to run; see ya soon-

Yea, sure…you know where to find me- replied Hiroshi, lifting put and pulling out his index and middle finger, acknowledging the goodbye; yet as his arm was raised, a sudden gust of wind coming from an open window struck Hiroshi, causing the left sleeve of his shirt to rise revealing a wicked mark burnt upon his left shoulder.

Though Odd manage to keep his cool as he waved goodbye to Hiro, once he had already gained some distance from him, his only thought was

"XANA"