Mutou predictably announces another group assignment, a set of problems that need to be turned in before the end of class. Almost simultaneously, Hanako and I turn to each other, with different intentions.
"...Sorry." She whispers, apologetically, before quickly and silently grabbing her things, standing up without a sound.
Ah. She really does look sorry, though, so I don't feel like her leaving is entirely my fault. Mutou watches her go, nodding to her before turning back to the rest of the class.
I guess this must be a regular occurrence. I don't see why it wouldn't be, actually. Given Hanako's already-reclusive nature and the way people seem to study her with a bit of wariness, it makes complete sense.
Of course she would shy away from group work. The normal stares that she already receives must be oppressive enough on their own.
I just nod at her, understanding completely. I was like that too, once, though perhaps to a lesser degree. It's something I can sympathize with.
Something like relief fills her expression before she turns away, slipping out of the class without another word.
I almost forget that it's time for group work, though two girls quickly remind me.
"Hicchan!" Of course. With the seats next to me vacated as people travel the room to make pre-organized groups, there is now room for two familiar students.
"You ditched us!" I'm not sure if it's Misha or Shizune speaking, now. It's a very Misha thing to say, though, given the context.
"Sorry. I wanted to talk to Hanako." I'm not really sorry, of course.
Shizune's expression darkens for a second at the mention of her name, even as she signs to Misha. Her sharper gestures reflect her mood.
"Well, that's okay! It's good to see you making friends and talking to other people! After all, it is our responsibility to make sure that everyone is healthy, and that includes social health!" Misha rambles on, seemingly unaware of the sudden tension.
"Anyways..." I start, not wanting to pursue that line of thought further, "Why does everyone seem so stressed out?" I've noticed, of course - the way that blonde girl in the morning was sprinting through the floor, the tense outlooks of many of the students, the hustle and bustle aura that appears to be the norm here. Something's up, and it must be pretty big.
It seems to work, as Shizune lightens up.
"Ah! Right! There's a festival coming up in a few days. Almost every student in the school tends to help out with it, doing whatever." Hanako must not like that very much.
Not the helping thing, of course. She doesn't appear particularly lazy. But I doubt she would be happy, surrounded by probing glances.
"So! You actually transferred in at a busy time... maybe you can help out, too!" The words are supposed to be a question, but Misha makes it sound like a statement.
"If it's something I'm interested in, I guess I could. What's the festival about?" Misha freezes.
"...Wahahaha! I don't know, Hicchan, the truth is it's a local event, and I'm not from this area, so..." She starts signing desperately to Shizune, asking her to bail her out. Shizune adjusts her glasses at the end of an oddly grandiose flourish and starts signing hard and heavy.
She's not from this area? Yet the female duo seem to be in sync. I doubt it's a lie, because Misha feels too trustworthy for that, but…
There's a silent dialogue between the aforementioned girls. Shizune seems to be rather pleased with her answer.
"Who cares?" Misha finally shouts out at me with a disproportionate amount of pride. Heads start to turn in our direction.
I sigh. This is how every conversation goes.
"Human beings evolve with each new generation! The ideals and beliefs behind a festival will inevitably change with time! "Now, it's about delicious fried food and amusing little games that you play to win prizes! Hahahaha!"
I don't think that's something you're supposed to say with so much pride.
The teacher clears his throat loudly, batting his long wooden pointer against his palm like a baton while shooting a pointed gaze at us. Finally noticing where we are, Misha stifles a yelp and quickly quiets down. Shizune doesn't appear embarrassed at all, though, brushing it off without a care.
"We are in the middle of class, and should start working." Misha translates. It honestly seems like both of them just remembered that.
"Okay! You don't have any plans for lunch today, do you?" I don't like where this conversation is headed. They appear to have forgotten about my vague agreement to help out for the festival, which is fine.
The library calls. Even though I don't know where it is.
"I thought I would go to the library and pick up some books." It's a perfectly reasonable excuse, in my head, at least. By the displeased looks on the girls' faces, they disagree.
"Well, you can't really go to the library at lunch...the librarian has to eat sometimes, too, you know?" Misha interjects after a briefing with Shizune.
"Oh. Well, I guess I'm free for lunch." My plans thwarted, I wearily agree to eat with them.
The rest of the class passes uneventfully, as they let off of what was quickly becoming an interrogation. Unfortunately, with the light silence...
"So you're going to help out with the festival?" Misha finally asks of her own accord, translating for Shizune simultaneously.
"I said if it interested me." I remind her, a little quick.
"And the welfare and entertainment of your fellow classmates, their parents, and other citizens doesn't interest you whatsoever? Not even to do a little work?" I pretend to think about it, though, truthfully, I already knew my answer before the question fell from her lips.
"Nope." My bland reply seems to crush the pink-haired girl, much to my amusement.
"But-" I cut her off, an impressive feat, all things considered.
"I'll think about it later and get you my final answer tomorrow. Okay?" I say decisively, to cut off any opposition. When Misha translates, Shizune gives me a curiously analytical look.
"Okay." We go back to our work. The rest of class passes uneventfully. Hanako doesn't come back, and I'm extremely curious as to where she went.
Before I have the time to put any thought into where she could have gone, the teacher informs us that it's time to stop working.
Shizune looks more than a little annoyed that we only just barely managed to finish our work on time. I'm just glad we finished at all. It's not a contest and I say as much.
"Yes it is, Hicchan!" Misha says, after a brief translation. I frown, more confused as to how this is possible than anything.
"It's not a contest, because contests are competitions over a prize. If there's no prize on the line, it's not really a contest." I try to explain. Shizune's eyes flash dangerously with a competitive glare. She stares at me, as if surprised that I'm challenging her. I think maybe this is a contest to her.
Her eyes are...mesmerizing, to say the least, dark blue irises boring into me. It's surprisingly hard to look away.
"You're wrong, Hicchan. I don't want to be the slowest one in the class. Therefore, what's on the line is my confidence in my abilities, and the prize is the satisfaction of proving them." Misha finally says.
"Who's them?" I ask. Misha consults with Shizune.
"Everyone." The pink-haired girl responds. Shizune pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose in a very matter-of-fact way.
That's a challenge.
"And...who's saying that? Is that Misha, or Shizune? And what are you proving and why do you need to prove it and is this representative of some kind of self-confidence issue based off of your disability and do you believe that everything is a contest and why do you think everything is a contest and are contests an analogy for something else affecting your personal life and-" The bell cuts me off. Shame.
Misha, by now, looks absolutely bewildered by my rapid-fire speech, attempting to keep up. Shizune, on the other hand, looks downright excited, a new look and one that is absolutely alluring on the cute girl.
We quickly pack up our bags. I'm ready to run off, but an expectant look from Misha makes me pause. I had almost forgotten that I was supposed to have lunch with them.
"Where do you want to eat?" Misha asks.
"The cafeteria?" It's a question. I had thought the answer would be somewhat obvious.
"Hahaha! That's so plain... Okay! Let's go!"
Plain? There are other spots to eat?
Hm…
