I awoke the following morning. However, the situation that occurred after school yesterday continued to concern me. I attempted to keep myself busy before heading to school by taking a shower, preparing and eating breakfast, and organizing school equipment and supplies.

"Don't let me skip school because of something stupid like yesterday's anxiety, Miko!" I attempted to urge myself.

I ordered another train ticket from the screen that appeared in the air, just like yesterday. My routine will now be as follows, which is optimal for me.

My family does not hold me back or bind me now. I have the freedom to decide who I am, what I believe, and whether or not I have a soulmate.

I entered the classroom and sat on the bench, just like yesterday. Katia had not revealed herself. I assumed she would arrive almost immediately, perhaps even yesterday.

The school bell would ring in around ten minutes. I was still thinking about what had happened yesterday and trying to ignore it.

As I wait for the bell to ring, I peruse news articles about scientific and technological advancements, which could potentially serve as a source of inspiration for my future development of instruments and technology. One such example is the introduction of chip implants a few years ago. Could this serve as a plot point for my upcoming novella when I read articles on the computation clouding?

I persisted in reading and immersing myself in the text until I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey! So, if you are a human, don't let yourself always be in a daze. Come, go talk and socialize, socialize!" Katia giggled as she patted my shoulder.

I stared and said, "Oh, Katia. I'm not surprised that you're astonished in that way."

Katia makes fun of me, saying, "Booohooo—who surprised you, silly? I never intended to make you surprised. People should not be so serious. It will be difficult for you to find a mate. Chit-chat and fool around for a bit like I was saying."

I was angered by Katia's mocking, "You didn't look in the mirror, foolish! I was in reading anyway. Not in a daze."

I remained silent for a minute after responding to Katia's mocking.

"Was she always so cheerful and sociable like this? It appears that she used to be bashful or silent sometime in the past. Sometimes she preferred to go home alone rather than invite me like yesterday," I reflected, recalling memories of the two of us when we were younger.

I was thinking about something other than yesterday's events and how we were in the past. The bell rang, bringing me back to my senses.

Finally, the teacher arrived, and class began. Katia will be my deskmate starting today. The teacher had already arrived, and class was about to begin. We examined lessons that were not heavy or had not yet reached the core or main of the lesson. It serves the same purpose as warming up before an exercise session.

Katia frequently spoke with me in class, but I often disregarded her, and the teacher punished us both. Even when I remained silent, the teacher's punishment had an impact on me.

The lunchtime bell rang. This is in accordance with the explanation of the orientation and schedule that was presented yesterday. The break lasts 30 minutes twice. We've also been studying all day starting today. The school days accord to the standard, which is only four days. School runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Katia turned to me and said, "Hey, Su -- I mean Miko, may I call you Miko starting today? What I mean is I want to appreciate you for trying to change yourself, like I said yesterday."

I gently replied, after taking a long breath, "It's up to you. But it's excellent that you've realized not to tease me all the time."

Katia shook her head. "As I guess. That is definitely how you will respond. But accompany me right now to somewhere, COME ON!"

"Hey Kati—! Wait, hold—...!!!???" Katia grabbed my hand before I could continue speaking and struggled back.

During our walk, I had a conversation with Katia, saying, "I haven't decided whether I want to come with you or not."

Katia responded, "Oh, come on, let's eat together in the canteen..." Katia continued, ".... I'll treat you today."

I responded enthusiastically, "TREAT?! I will come."

Katia chuckled when she heard my remark.

Katia let me go once we arrived at the canteen to get lunch and drinks. After that, I searched for an empty seat. I looked but couldn't find a seat in the canteen.

Katia reappeared with two Gundam buns stuffed with chicken and beef marinated in seafood seasonings, one can of black Sew, and one bottle of mineral water.

Gundam is a type of grain, primarily known for its chocolate color. And black Sew and other species of Sew are grasses that may be used to make nutritious drinks and are high in antioxidants, which help the body eliminate toxins through urine.

I've always liked black Sew, which is bitter but beneficial for the body because it's made from young grass that's dried and then dipped in water for a few minutes. The water eventually turns dark or blackish and tastes harsh. The taste is similar to Cohee, but it has a significantly different bitter taste.

After Katia returned, I apologized to her, "Oh sorry Katia, I didn't get a place for us to eat." 

Katia shrugged her shoulders, her hands full of food and drinks. "Well, it can't be helped; the school cafeteria is always full."

We glanced around. Finally, we noticed someone leaving the table and chairs. We neared the location. We sat down and placed the food and beverages on the table.

"I finally got a place, haha," Katia exclaimed, relieved.

Katia's response elicited a nod from me as I opened and consumed the plastic bread bag. Katia and I focused on eating our meals since we were hungry.

We were in the middle of our meal. A bunch of folks entered the cafeteria. They turned out to be a bunch of students from another classroom.

Katia and I watched them. I looked more closely. I saw someone I recognized well.

I asked Katia to confirm whether my estimate was correct.

"Katia, is that Nako? That's the artist you mentioned yesterday, as far as I recall."

I looked at Katia. Katia's expression was uncomfortable, and she simply nodded while eating and drinking.

I just said 'oh' since I didn't want to make Katia any more furious.

In my heart, I was pleased since I had met and even attended the same school as my idol. But I didn't want to make my idol "disgusted" with my actions, so I attempted to remain calm. Besides, there was Katia, who despised him for reasons I didn't understand.

We finished our meals and drinks. We returned to the classroom, ignoring the gathering of artists and their "Nako" artist.

We split before entering the classroom because Katia needed to use the restroom, while I went directly to class. Before the lesson, I read a book for the upcoming class. Katia arrived a few minutes later and took her seat right away. She appeared calm and quiet until the bell for the following class rang.

This differs from the class before the break. Katia was now quiet and did not speak with me until the bell for the next break rang. During the second break, Katia chose to leave the classroom and not say anything to me.

During the second break, I decided to purchase drinking water from the machine that displayed the hologram window screen in front of me.

I then went to the men's restroom before entering the classroom. While waiting for the bell to sound for the next lesson, I read the news about advancements in applied technology.

Katia finally returned shortly before the bell sounded. However, Katia remained mute and did not speak to me. Since we met my artist or idol and her entourage, Katia has been silent and has not spoken to me once. I don't really care about Katia's significant adjustments.

I honestly don't remember anything about Katia when we were younger. Was she truly an emotional person who experienced 'mood swings' from the beginning?

My interactions with Katia were similar to those in class before the second break. "I should talk to Katia before going home."

The bell rang. I tried to speak with her, "Katia, are you—"

Katia responded instantly before I asked, "O-oh, hello Miko. Oh, that's okay. I can get home by myself. Don't worry,  ahaha..." Her face flushed again, exactly as it had when she requested me to accompany her home from school yesterday.

Katia delivered an answer that appeared to avoid me, chuckled a little, and then quickly left.  I believe Katia has recognized that our home is now a different place.

I promptly left the classroom and walked to the train station to return home.

When I arrived at the station, I waited for the train. Unfortunately, I had subconsciously assumed that this would happen again today. The strange girl who came yesterday has reappeared, and she is now standing right next to me.