"Students, who would like to come up front and read the highlighted section of page 78?" The classroom teacher spoke kindly as her eyes scanned the room. Most students were willing to volunteer. However, her eyes were caught by the young girl lowering herself in her seat.
"Hmm, I think I'll have you read it for us, Utahime."
Utahime could've sworn she heard the grim reaper speak to her right then; she hated- and I mean HATED public speaking with all her heart.
Nonetheless, she inhaled a breath of fake courage and timidly walked up to the front of the homeroom. Her teacher flashed a kind smile (a smile she would love to wipe right off). Utahime's eyes, frightened, looked at the room filled with her peers' gaze set upon her; her best friend Shoko gave a supportive soft smile and thumped up, encouraging her to do her best.
"Ok, Miss. Iori, go ahead. Please take your time; there is no need to rush."
The teacher said sweetly. Utahime opened her textbook, her fingers trembling. The sweat began to kick in, and her heart boomed from her chest. The only noise that could hardly be heard filling the room was the ticking clock, a relentless reminder of time that amplified in Utahime's ears.
"W-when looking at the t-theory of relativity- uh, uh, uh," Suddenly Utahime's mind went completely blank. Her mouth was agape, and cruel invisible forces chained down her body. She was the deer, and this entire moment was the headlights. When things couldn't get worst, the same cocky, pompous, and irritating voice spoke.
"Hey guys, who am I? Uh-Uh-Uh-uh." He laughed condescendingly, making direct eye contact with her, as most students (primarily girls) began to laugh alongside him and at her. Suguru and Shoko roll their eyes in annoyance at their friend's childishness. Utahimes's heart dropped as everyone joined in the laughing. Tears overpowered her eyes, streaming down her flushed cheeks. Her body moved quickly to the door as she ran out, mortified and humiliated with Shoko getting up to catch up to her. "Satoru and everyone else, that is enough!"
"Come on, Utahime, that was forever ago, like middle school forever ago. You're going to have to let it go at some point. I'd hate to go without you; having you there will make this outing much more enjoyable." Shoko begged as she lit her cigarette. Utahimes eyes widen at the sight.
"Shoko! I begged you to quit! And I said no! Especially if he's going to be there!" Utahime protested as she sat on her pink bedding with her arms crossed.
"C'mon Utahime, you're a close friend of mine and Suguru's; it would suck bad if you weren't a part of our anniversary tonight. We planned this night with our friends in mind and besides, you love karaoke. I don't ask for things, but come on, please. It would mean a lot to me."
Shoko asked once more, and yes, tonight would be six months since she and Suguru decided to become a real couple. Unlike most, who wanted these moments to be celebrated amongst each other, Shoko and Geto wanted their close friends to be a part of it with them. Utahime felt a pang of guilt as her friend shared her request.
"Alright, fine, I'll go, but you must promise you'll try quitting for real this time." Utahime smiled, pointing to the pack of cigarettes as she watched her friend's face brighten. "You got a deal." Shoko giggled giving her a thumbs-up.
Soon enough the two girls entered the private karaoke room.
"Woah, aren't I a lucky man?" Suguru's voice spoke smoothly as he got up from his seat and approached Shoko. His hands wrapped around his girlfriend's waist, holding onto the soft black velvet of her mini dress as he pulled her in for a sweet and gentle kiss.
"Man, I'm such a third wheel." Utahime thought to herself as she stood awkwardly next to Shoko. "Oh god, save it for the bedroom, you two! and wear protection!" Satoru announced into the microphone, unaware of Utahime also being present. The two pull away awkwardly before things become too heated.
"Oh, where are my manners? I apologize, Utahime. It's wonderful to see you." Suguru smiled. Man, how was he friends with that thing? Suguru was the total opposite of Satoru: kind, intelligent, charming, and humble. Opposites must genuinely attract. "Oh, Hi, it's good seeing you too." Utahime smiled back. Satoru immediately flashed her a mischievous smirk.
"Hi Uh-Uh-Uh-Utahime." He smirked sarcastically into the microphone. Utahime rolled her eyes at him. "If you can't say my name correctly or be polite, then don't speak to me!" Utahime scoffed as she sat on the leather seat opposite him. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I have a bit of a s-s-stutter when I talk to pretty girls." He mocked again. Utahime knew snapping back was a waste of time and she wasn't here to ruin the fun.
"C'mon, you two, play nice." Shoko giggled as she took a sip of beer. Her small shoulders wrapped by her much taller boyfriend's arm. Gojo lifted his arms in a pretend defeat. Utahime noticed a friend was missing from the group. "Guys, where's Mei Mei? I thought she'd be here." Utahime asked as she sipped some of her beer. "Mei Mei got held up at home. She needed to help Ui Ui with a school project." Shoko answered. Great, just great, Utahime thinks to herself. "At this point, I think she prefers him over us." Utahime giggled. Shoko and Suguru laugh in unison as they enjoy their drinks together. Satoru didn't seem as present as he was distracted by his phone.
"Satoru, I know you don't drink, but how come you are so quiet—texting a girl, perhaps?" Shoko asked with curiosity. Per usual, he flashed that same unintentionally flirty smile. Eh, no, I'm just messing around on this new app called chat-anonym; it's hilarious!" Satoru explained.
"I may recall hearing of that app. I believe Haibara mentioned it. Isn't it some chat app where you can message people without them knowing who you are?" Suguru asked.
"Yeah, word travels the halls fast; pretty much everyone at our school is on it, so I decided to download it and pretend to be random guys and confess my undying love to a bunch of random girls—you should see the messages I'm getting!" Satoru laughed. Geto and Shoko rolled their eyes again in shared annoyance.
"That's extremely creepy and kinda gross," Shoko answered bluntly.
"Why does your humor always depend on the pain of others!? That is so... Eck!" Utahime scoffed at him finishing her fourth round of beer.
"Ugh, relax, will you? I already deleted it, and besides knowing how single and desperate you are, you are probably already on it." Satoru answered back. Ouch, that was harsh. But it was true; Utahime was already a senior in high school and had yet to be taken on an actual date or asked out. All of her friends either have boyfriends or a line of options at their hands. Meanwhile, she was known as Uh-Uh-Uh-Utahime, a nickname that Worm gave her on that day.
"A little harsh don't you think, Satoru?" Suguru intervenes. Satoru reads the room and plays off his guilt with a casual shrug. Utahime wished she had never gone.
The night continues with singing, drinking, and laughing. Of course, Utahime silently praying to every divine force to help her resist the tempting urge to smash the microphone onto Satorus's head. As much as she would love to stay Satorus cruel words burn into her head. The next song appears on the screen Shoko drunkenly and excitedly hands the microphone to Utahime. "Oh-Uh, Shoko, I'm so so sorry. Please forgive me, but it's late, and I'm starting not to feel so well- and my ride is here too." Utahime explains a bit embarrassed. Shoko gives her a look of sympathy and understanding. "That's ok. I'm a bit disappointed because this is our song, but that's ok, there's a next time! Oh and call me when you get home-" Shoko was a bit of a talker when drunk.
"I think what she may be trying to say is, it's okay, go home and rest; we'll see you tomorrow in school," Suguru says kindly as he helps Shoko keep her balance as she tries to reach over the table to hug Utahime goodbye. Utahime hugs her friend goodbye. As she's about to leave, she turns around. Utahime knows that once Shoko has had one too many, she can become a lot of things, but Suguru gives her the don't-worry-I've-got-her type of look. "B-Bye Uh-Uh-Uh-Uta-" Just as Satoru can finish Utahime slams the door shut as she walks out while flashing a middle finger.
"Oh, Oh, fiesty," Satoru laughs. "When do you ever learn to stop?" Suguru sighs
"knowing how single and desperate you are, you are probably already on it." those words replayed in Utahimes mind over and over as she laid down on her soft bed and pillows. The soft lighting of the phone glowed on her face as she looked at the Chat-Anonym app. Download.
"Yeah, maybe he's right about all that, but maybe I'll try and have some fun," Utahime said to the same annoying voice as she began creating her profile.
If only she knew, the events that would come next. If only they both knew.