Thursday, 10/1/11

The sun blared down in ribbons on me, and I had to hold my hand up to my eyes to shroud some of the intensity.

September 1st. Back to school...

Summer's heat, and merriment had dug under and beneath my skin only to die prematurely afterwards. The events laced in between escape me (I've never had a good memory), but I did know that I wasn't ready to come back.

I suppressed a sigh as I dragged my feet across the ground, my high school, Yasogami High, gradually coming into focus. A classmate that I recognized almost instantly—their appearance stuck out brightly against the dull browns, and blacks of the crowd—came into view as well.

Naoto Shirogane.

He was slender for a boy, and roughly 5 inches shorter than I was, which was strange enough on it's own. His hair was also a peculiar shade of blue—which could be seen sticking out neatly from underneath his trademark hat—and he possessed matching, deep-set eyes. Still, there was a part of me that didn't know whether to love, or be envious of his almost effeminate features, so I stuck with the latter. Despite my age, I lacked any noticeable curves, was quick to trip over things real or not, and tried too hard to make people who didn't care like me...

Then, here he comes with his brilliant blue eyes, and petite figure. He's managed to ensnare them all with just a steely look, and was either too stubborn or oblivious to the attention he received because of it.

I hadn't conversed much with him as of yet—how could I, with everyone fawning over him all the time?—but I knew enough to draw my own conclusions.

When he saw me approach, he gave me a curt nod in acknowledgement, and a ghost of a smile.

"Good morning."

I bowed politely, and flashed him a sincere smile, brushing away any previous thoughts, "Good morning, Naoto-kun! ..."

And then there's silence. I trail off, not sure where to go from there, hoping he'll pick up where I left it. He rubs his neck, and diverts his gaze to the floor; it became apparent that he wasn't about to. The silence is heavy, suffocating, and sinking in like an anchor to a ship.

Damn it.

The storm approaches.

"So, uh... W-What're you doing here?" I realize right after I say it that it's a stupid question... The crisp, buttoned-up shirt he wore, as well as the bag at his side told me already, so why'd I even ask?

Surprisingly, he still replies, in his usual, slightly monotonous voice. Geez, did this guy ever get excited? "My cooperation with the police has come to an end. However, there are aspects of the case with which I remain unconvinced." He frowns. "There are some family-related issues as well, so I've decided to stay here for the present. From today forth, I'll be a first-year at your high school."

I gawk, speechless, and he spins on his heel to leave. Before I can call out to him, regain some shred of dignity, he looks back at me from over his shoulder, "A pleasure to officially meet you, Senpai." He lets a small smile grace his features before turning back around, disappearing from sight. I feel a rush of heat spread to my cheeks, and thanked any deity out there that he didn't see.

'Pretty,' I mentally comment, following after him with a slight bounce in my step that wasn't there a while ago.

That detective did have a way with words...

Getting back into the swing of things proved to be difficult, but I managed to survive somehow. School was slow, but I was thankful for Drama by the end of it.

Or... More so I had.

Rise-chan dragged me out of my class as soon as the bell had rung, going on about god knows what; I wasn't paying much attention to be honest... She had mentioned something about Suzaku-kun, and Naoto-kun, and that's when my ears had perked up. The idol noticed, and gave me a knowing smirk.

"Hey, I just thought since the rest of the group was meeting at Junes, we should invite them too, riiiight? Yanno, to be nice~"

Nice she says, but I don't think I believe her.

I was blushing, powerless against this younger girl—who could somehow read all my weaknesses without Himiko's help—and she was eating it up. Without waiting for my reply, she concludes that it IS a good idea, and I'm pulled out from the stifling darkness that was school, and back into the evening sun.

"Man, did you see Naoto's attitude...? He sure blew his debut at school... Is he gonna be okay at Yasogami?" Yosuke-kun pipes up once we've all gathered around the circular table at the food court. He's working on a can of soda, and breathes a sigh when the drink touches his lips, and runs down his throat. I have to ask Kanji-kun to open mine, who doesn't seem very content at the question. Or my presence, for that matter.

Yuki-chan takes a quiet sip from her own, and speaks slowly, like she's making up everything on the spot, "He is different, but he has this… mysterious air around him that draws your attention." She finishes with a small smile. Suzaku-kun rolls his shoulder next to her.

"Still doesn't justify the attitude." He concludes.

"Naoto-kun said he has 'things to mull over,' but he's gotta be talking about the murder case." Chie-chan added, managing to wave a dismissive hand in his direction. Yosuke-kun turns to look at her.

"He's some ace detective, right?" Emphasis is dusted over his words, like he's in denial, "I bet he's not satisfied… even though the case is closed."

"That's true, but…" Chie-chan trails off into a silence, frowns, and they both hang their heads low. After a few seconds, she collects herself, and exclaims, "This place isn't our 'special headquarters' anymore… Ehhh, l-let's talk about something else!"

Yosuke-kun's head lifts up, "Isn't the class trip coming up soon? Um… Where are we going?" He asks sheepishly. Yuki-chan brightens up.

"Tatsumi Port Island." I visibly cringe at the name, but straighten up when everyone turns to me. Only Suzaku-kun notices.

"Port Island? …Ohhh, that's right~ Aren't you from there, Senpai?" A playful smile tugs at Rise-chan's features, and it takes every fiber in my being to return it, and force a laugh.

"Y-Yup! It's a pretty big city…"

Chie-chan interjects, "Ah, but I don't think we'll have a lot of time to goof off during this trip…" The statement is followed by confused glances, "I heard the school board is changing the trip's schedule this year. The idea is, we're gonna visit a private school there. Like, to have local and urban students interact, or something like that. It'll be all about studying and serious business… Yuck~"

"Ugh… They're totally missing the point of a class trip."

Yosuke-kun looks back at me, "So, what's this private school like?"

"Well…" I hum in thought, and scrunch my brows together. I didn't remember much about it actually, but if I said that, it'd sound like a cop out… Luckily, Chie-chan steals the words right out of my mouth.

"It's really nice~ With big buildings and everything. But it's closed on the day we're going, so they're going the extra mile to make it work. They want us to tour some factories on the 2nd day, and then we're going back on the 3rd day."

"That's no different from a social studies field trip!" Yosuke-kun comments, groaning, "I didn't want to know that…"

Kanji-kun rejoins the conversation. He shrugs his shoulders beside me, "Can't expect much from a school-sponsored trip, I guess." True…"Well, we'll be around, so if it starts to drag, we can ditch."

Honestly, I hadn't expected any different from him… Rise-chan claps her hands in delight. "Oh! Rin-senpai and I'll show you guys around~!" I wasn't sure when the conversation had traveled back to me, but I decide to play it off with another smile. Suzaku-kun raises a brow, but doesn't say anything. "Gosh, I'm trying to remember the last time I went to Port Island and I wasn't working…" She giggles, "This'll be great!"

Yosuke-kun sinks further into his chair, "I wish I could be that positive about it… Doesn't this seem like a pain in the ass to anyone else?"