Chapter 3: Quiet Sapphire

I sit to myself in the classroom, studying as I eat my lunch. I only look up once to catch sight of Hikaru Tsuchimiya and Hitomi Kamiya, enjoying their own and talking amongst friends.
There's hardly a student in Takamatsu that doesn't know the pair.
But, hardly any of them can claim to know the former, thoughts and all. No one can, except me.
And it isn't something I'm proud of...
My name is Keiko Nagahashi, and unlike the both of them, I prefer keeping to myself. Like the satori of mythology, I was born with a detestable ability. An ability that I can control now, but am unable to control whenever I see Tsuchimiya-san.
Because of that, I try to avoid her most of all. She isn't a bad person. But that she causes me such a loss of control, and that her face is one I see many days and nights in a recurring dream bothers me
Having learned a little more about my power, I know that it wasn't a simple dream. It would eventually come to pass. But before, I had no knowledge of who she was, nor do I have any knowledge of why.
The only real sign I have, to know that Hikaru Tsuchimiya is the girl in my dreams, is the color of her eyes; a unique violet shade like two light amethysts. No one else but her has eyes like that, not among anyone else I've seen.
I am curious why I dream of her every day and night. I am curious to know why that dream plays out in such a way.
But at the same time, I'm afraid to find out. Perhaps the answer is shared among us both. Perhaps it's because I'm not normal. Because I was born different.

When the day has concluded, I'm on my way out. I have no plans to stay, no obligations to.
As I walk down the hall I come across Kirigaya-sensei; our history, mythology, and my homeroom teacher.
"Working hard, Keiko," he asks me.
Kirigaya-Sensei is one of the most well liked teachers at our school. Although, outside of the classroom, I've known his family for six years now. They've helped me to better control my power, to an extent.
"All of your teachers are always saying good things about your performance in class," Sensei states, smiling kindly. "Your parents must be very proud."
I find myself gripping my books tight to my chest when he speaks about my parents as I reply to his praise, "It's nothing. I've only been keeping with my studies, like any student."
Before long, that kind smile is replaced with a look of concern, as he asks, "Your grades aside though, Keiko, how have you been doing..?"
I was well aware that he was going to ask that eventually. It leaves me feeling more discomfort...
"I nor any other faculty members ever see you interacting with other students. You're always just sitting by yourself."
"My studies are a little more important than interaction with others..."
Sensei sighs, "That may be true. Be that as it may..."
He doesn't understand.
That's the honest truth to it. He's never been where I am. He wasn't born an outcast.
"I had a friend in school that did just as you are. She stayed to herself, worried more about her studies and personal duties than getting to know others."
I look up at sensei.
"Exorcist families can sometimes be rather hard on their next of kin. For her; it was that, like you, she had difficulty interacting with others. Many of our classmates saw this as her way of saying she was superior to us. I myself was amongst them, for awhile..."
He closes his eyes, as if to recount the memory thoroughly. The memory of the girl he had shared a class with, who never spoke a word to anyone. Who's distant atmosphere both attracted and pushed away others.
I don't mean to, but I take a brief look into his mind. And I can see an image of her, sitting at the back of the class by one of the windows. To anyone else, it would appear that she wanted nothing to do with others. That she thought those around her were beneath her.
But seeing her through sensei's eyes, her own seemed almost lonely...
He speaks again, advising, "As a teacher, I shouldn't be saying this, but perhaps you should cut back on your studies."
His suggestion takes me by surprises. "But sensei, what about-!"
He places a hand on my shoulder. "Keiko, you are one of the brightest of your grade. But you're still young. At your age, making memories is just as important as your education. I'm not saying you need to stop studying. At the very least, find time to interact with those around you."
I look away.
I understand what he's trying to do, but it's not so simple for someone like me. These powers make me an outcast. It's a given that's present all throughout history.
"Now then, I need to collect a few things from the classroom. I'll most likely see you later on."
I watch as he walks past. Even considering he's right, I just don't know...
"Ah right, before I forget..." He turns to look toward me once more; his gaze firm. "Regarding the recent string of disappearances. We can no longer leave this up to law enforcement..."
At his stating this, I immediately understand, and nod to demonstrate this.
"Don't push yourself, Keiko. We're counting on you, but you needn't take everything upon yourself."
"I'll do my best..."

The string of disappearances.

People have been going missing at random; all with no relationship to one another in anyway. Investigators and news reporters all label it as a kidnapping, and we've done our part to confirm so.

But learning the truth of it was far worse… Far, far worse than any theory…

"Oof!"

I end up dropping my things and falling on my bottom, after bumping into someone on my way.

"Hey! Watch where the hell you're going!"

"I-I'm really sorry!" I frantically apologize; reaching to pick up my belongings that lay scattered on the floor.

As I do however, my eyes lay upon something else that had dropped on the floor. And I find myself frozen.

A small switchblade; decorated red.

Clearly, he hadn't meant for anyone to see it. I hear him mutter a curse when he notices it having fallen from his pants pocket.

I should report this to the school faculty, or maybe the student council. In fact, that's exactly what I intend to do.

But before I can so much as get up, he grabs me by my right wrist. And in the next two seconds, he throws me against the wall, and no sooner pins me by my wrists.

"You didn't see a thing," he says in a low growl; through grit teeth, "you got that?!"

Of course he assumed I was planning to report him. It's only natural.

And naturally, I can't help being frightened. Enough so that his intent slips into my own mind. An intent that I hadn't expected to lie behind its possession.
"I suggest you let her go. Now."

The both of us look toward the voice. But I'm by far the more shocked of the both of us; even as her face comes into view.

I wanted to avoid her. I tried to avoid her all this time, I've even managed to up to now. Why is she still at school..?

"This is none of your business, Tsuchimiya," he yells at her.

A yell that does nothing to deter her. "Sneaking a weapon onto school grounds, whatever you intend is the school's concern. So, I'm making it my business." She walks toward us, as if ignoring any sense of danger. "Before you bother asking, Hitomi's the one that noticed it; just as you walked past us. And what do I find besides a classless bully threatening one of his schoolmates."

She must be an idiot, is what someone other than myself might think. But from the way she looks right now, she's aware of how bad the situation can get. Her poise is like someone expecting the danger to come from such a situation.

In her mind though, I can see that she's hoping that won't be the case.

"This is going right to the teachers either way," she says. "Just accept that and let her go."

"Why the hell should I listen to you?"

"To keep yourself from looking like a total idiot." As she says this, she picks up the pocket knife from it's place on the ground. "And to keep you from doing something you'll regret." And as she finishes, closes it.

But whereas Tsuchimiya-san's hoping to resolve this peacefully, that won't be possible. His attention is focused on her and the knife. He's planning to attack her and take it back. He doesn't care where we are.

"Izakura-kun," I hear Kirigaya-sensei call out on his way down the hall. "I would advise you unhand Nagahashi; unless you prefer to get yourself in further trouble then I'm sure you're already aware you are in."

The moment he sees sensei, his thoughts shift. He's considering his current situation, and exactly how it looks. As well as what he was going to do, and just how much worse it would make the situation. At the same time, he takes into account the concealed weapon now in Tsuchimiya-san's hand. He's aware that she will take this to sensei, with him being a member of faculty. No matter what action he takes, the consequence will be the same. The end result is set in stone.

Clicking his tongue, he decides against the two that would get him into further trouble. And releases his hold on me.

Even knowing his thoughts, I was honestly really frightened. There was no telling what he might have done; how violent this situation would have become had sensei not intervened. Rubbing my wrists to ease the tension and aches, I can't help but be relieved.

Tarou Izakura turns a glare on Tsuchimiya-san; filled with utter contempt for her meddling. And shoves her aside with his shoulder as he walks away; as if to say that just the sound of her voice annoys him.

"Izakura-kun," sensei calls to him. "Tarou Izakura-kun!"

But he just keeps walking, not even looking back. He's perfectly aware that he'll only get in further trouble by ignoring a teacher. But he doesn't seem to care at all, as he walks away.

As frightened as I was, I can't help feeling concerned for his well-being. Especially knowing he brought a knife to school, intending to kill himself in the boys' bathroom...

Kirigaya-sensei turns his attention towards me; his voice filled with apologetic concern as he asks, "Keiko, are you alright? He didn't hurt you did her..?"

"N-No," I answer in a stammer. "I'm fine, sensei. Just...trying to recompose myself…"

"Kirigaya-sensei, he had this," Tsuchimiya-san says, handing him the pocket knife she took from Izakura-san."Hitomi noticed it in his pocket as he passed us."

"She has quite the pair of eyes. It's fortunate nothing worse came of this." Sensei stores the pocket knife in his personal bag. "I'll need to have a word with his parents after today. As always, you set a good example for our students, Hikaru."

"Not at all. I didn't do all that much…" She looks at me as she admits this.

Just the moment our eyes meet, everything in her mind floods my own.

Every thought and feeling...

Every memory...

Every dream...

Every nightmare...

Every secret…

Everything about her starts pouring into my mind. I can't control it. I can't regulate it. It's always her. Always, always her…

Whenever I look at her, I just lose all control of my abilities. I don't understand it…

"Nagahashi-san? What's the matter, you've gone completely pale…" Tsuchimiya-san reaches her hand towards me.

And as if by some reflex, I find myself slapping it away. My legs move almost on autopilot, carrying me as far away from her as possible; anywhere but here.

I hear both sensei and Tsuchimiya-san calling after me. I know I will have to apologize to sensei later for running off so suddenly. But I can't be here, in the same place as her. I can't stand this loss of control that she causes me. I can't stand knowing that she's the girl I always see, every night that I sleep.

Hikaru Tsuchimiya…

She doesn't deserve it, but I can't help but be terrified of her.

And who wouldn't be terrified of their eventual murderer…?