Kazumi's POV

"Hiya Kazumi!!" I saw Haru smile from my peripheral vision. Beside him is Hadzuki who's reading a book entitled Who Am I?. Hadzuki and Haru are one of my friends here at Minami High.

I flashed Haru a stoic look, ignoring his greetings. It's already 7:50, and homeroom started like always. "C'mon Kazumi, at least talk for Pete's sake!!"

I let out a growl and faced Haru. Hadzuki's still reading her book and I could tell that she's really engrossed in it because she's silent. I returned my gaze to Haru with a frown. "I'm too lazy to do so."

Yes, talking makes me tired. A lot, to be honest. Some days, I'm talkative as hell and some days I'm like a rock. This day is an example of the latter. I felt Haru's gaze on me and I shrugged my shoulders, pointing at Hideo. Hideo is also one of my friends and is a part of our group, called The Nitwits.

I don't even know what that is, Haru—the founder of the said group told us that he just came up with that. "Hideo's there, talk to him. You don't wanna disturb Hadzuki while she's reading," I said, feeling the chilly air behind me get stronger. It caught my attention and I turned around only to see the blade of the aircon pointing downwards. Argh, curse it. I hate the cold. I stood up from my seat to arrange the blade before going back.

Minutes passed and Akira-sensei went out of the classroom, bringing her supplies with her. I happen to glance at the wallclock in front of our classroom and let out a sigh. I forgot that it's not working anymore. I scanned the classroom and felt myself getting bored. There's nothing interesting. They're all doing what they always do.

Some are chattering, some are playing, some are in their own worlds, well the typical classroom whenever the teacher isn't around. I lazily grabbed a novel from my bag and opened it at the page where I left the bookmark. This might keep me entertained for a while.

Usually, people would be having a hard time speaking and understanding English, but exclude the members of the Nitwits from that. The book that I'm reading is entitled Magnus Chase And The Gods Of Asgard. I still haven't read Percy Jackson since mom won't let me buy books that aren't related to academics or school whatsoever.

Time flew by pretty fast and the next thing I knew is students are coming out of their classrooms to go to the cafeteria. However, I stayed on my spot, too lazy to follow everyone. Only a few people were left at the classroom. Recess is really one of my favorite subjects. The others are lunch break and home time.

Hadzuki, still reading her book, snatched an apple from her bag using her left hand while the book is on her right. Speaking of right, Hideo from my right side scooted closer to us, taking his chair and snacks with him. Oh boy, I know I said that I don't wanna talk. Before Hideo could even utter a word, I held my right hand in front of his face and brought my forefinger to my lips, signalling that I want silence.

He seemed to understand but instead of giving in to my request, he let out a wide smirk then opened his mouth. I could only roll my eyes as he started babbling about random topics. Staring at his untouched food, I resumed reading the book as he kept on talking and making puns (and those puns are horrible) which made him laugh. Yes, only him. Hadzuki and I don't give a frick because we have our books.

Glancing at my watch, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door, not bothering to tell them where I'm going. Well I don't need to tell them, they ain't my bodyguards. I passed by the renovated cafeteria and almost covered my ears because of the noise. It surely is deafening to me when I'm not in the mood. Scowling, I made my way to the rooftop and let out a sigh of relief when I saw that I was the only one there.

I sat on the floor near the railings and leaned on it, reminiscing about the times when I wrote my tasks on my handy dandy notebook. Speaking of notebook, I forgot to bring it with me today. My hand felt empty when I'm not clutching the notebook filled with useless but interesting random topics.

I heard voices and loud thuds. My gaze fell on the view below. "They sure have it easy," I muttered when I spotted a group of highschoolers sneaking out of the school to cut classes. Based on what I saw, I'm guessing that they're Grade 11. I snorted at the thought.

Who am I? A detective? Who they are and what they do is a no-no. I should keep my nose out of other people's businesses.

You say that, but then you're going to do it sooner or later, right? You're not fooling yourself.

My eyes squinted in annoyance. Since when did my subconscious be able to talk back to me? Though annoyed, I couldn't help but nod in agreement. I'll be doing that soon, but only because I feel like I need to.

That's what you think, but not what you feel. They're different.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I rubbed my temples. Okay, I had enough of this. I stood up and dusted my skirt, walking back to the classroom leisurely. In a matter of minutes, I reached the classroom and saw that it was packed through a little window at the door. My classmates must be done buying their food.

For some reason, I felf reluctant opening the door. Could it be because I'm thinking that he's inside? I shaked my head to clear my thoughts and in the process, I accidentally twisted the doorknob resulting for the door opening.

Great, I don't want attention. I felt frozen on my spot when I was the center of the attention. Don't look at me., I prayed. Seeing that I wasn't a teacher or someone special, they went back doing their thing as I went inside, closing the door behind me.

I dragged myself back to my seat. Hadzuki already had her book down and is talking to Hideo who's still not finished with his food. Haru is nowhere to be found. I could bring out my cellphone but I'm too lazy and it's too risky. Yes, I bring my cellphone at school; without my parent's knowledge that is.

If asked why would I do such thing, then I would simply answer with a simple 'because I want to, got a problem with it?'. I know I sound rude and I noticed that I was getting worse everyday.

I often skip lunch and is treating others like a brat, sometimes. I don't know why, but I just feel like everything's irritating me. And no, I'm not on that day of the month.

If you think that's bad, then you'll be shocked to see my attitude at home. I lock myself inside my room, doesn't socialize (if someone's talking to me then a sentence or two is my longest response), is rudely snide and my attitude makes a 180° degree turn. At school, I may look cheerful but at home I look like a NEET.

Maybe because I really am. But whatever. I don't know if I'm depressed or what but this kind of living has become my way of living. Even my parents are getting used to my bratty attitude.

My thoughts were interrupted by someone coughing. It sounded like it was intentional. Someone nudged my side and I turned to Haru who magically appeared beside me and pointed at the front of the classroom. I just realized that EVERYONE was looking at me.

My eyes met a pair of brown ones though I quickly avert my gaze to the person in front. Ms. Akane, our teacher for Japanese is staring at me. "I've been calling out to you for a lot of times, Kazumi. Make sure you're paying attention, okay? I'm hoping that your grades will be even higher this time," She said and I nodded in reply. Like I said before, I don't wanna talk.

It's been 4 months since classes started and last time, I got the highest grade in Japanese in our class. I doubt that I would do better this time though.

Ms. Akane resumed teaching and I tried my best to at least remember the things she's been talking about because I'm not in the mood to take notes now. Well if you were me, you wouldn't even bother taking a peek inside my notes. My penmanship isn't the worst, but in my choice of words, it's horrible. And not to mention that the pages are always full of smudges. It's a major turn-off.

Sounds of laughter mades its way to my ears and I snapped out of my thoughts. There I go again, daydreaming instead of listening.
Ms. Akane's smile stretched from ear to ear as she brought the broken chalk down to the blue desk in front of the classroom. "I'm sorry, it's just that I'm more used to English than Japanese," she said, scratching the back of her neck.

Let me tell you one more thing, I'm having a hard time describing the events at the classroom because it's just the typical classroom scene so apologies if you can't visualize it clearly. You probably noticed that I'm telling things most of the times instead of showing, but I guess that's understandable since I'm just an amateur. Wait, what am I even saying? This got nothing to do with the current events.

I was startled when I heard the schoolbell's deafening sound which made me jump on my seat. I'm grateful that I didn't scream though. Ms. Akane's expression changed and became darker though it was only for a split second. "That's all for now. Geez we wasted time by laughing at me pronouncing a word wrong." She pouted.

I was about to divert my attention to my unfinished book but someone's gaze fell on me and I felt a shiver run down my spine. What the hell?? I scanned the place but I didn't find anything out of the ordinary. Ms. Akane just opened the door and was about to leave while carrying her supplies.

My classmates resumed chatting and my arch nemesis showed itself once again. Yes, you guessed it right, it was noise. Slumping on my chair, I prevented myself from thinking anything unecessary which is impossible.

What if that feeling earlier was... I shaked my head and a frustrated sigh came out of my lips. I can't entertain such thought.

"What in the world is up with you, shaking your head suddenly without a reason?" Hadzuki asked from beside me. She had her book again but it was closed. Seems like she hasn't opened it yet. I tried changing the topic because I'm not good at coming up with lies on the spot.

"Where's the next teacher??" I wondered, hoping that she would let the topic go. Well the topic isn't really serious so I guess I'm just exaggerating. She raised a brow at me, her orange orbs blinking. "Have you forgotten that Ms. Jelavic isn't present at the time?"

Ms. Jelavic? Our teacher in home economics? She's absent? "Uhh, I don't know. Why's she absent though?"

"She's hospitalized. Well that's what I heard." She shrugged her shoulders.

"You know me. I don't know a lot since I just transferred here," I blurted out. Argh, I sound so stupid. That statement doesn't have to do with anything.

"What are you talking about?" Hadzuki asked, looking up from her book. I didn't even notice that she started reading already.

"N-nothing."

Time flew by pretty slow and classes ended. I tied my silver hair that only went pass my shoulders a bit. It sure is hot in the classroom when the aircons aren't turned on. At the moment, I'm currently waving goodbye to my close friends and walked out the door with my bag.

Now all I have to do is wait for my fellow schoolmates who's in the same school service. Upon reaching the lobby packed with students, I took a vacant seat and watched the others hurry to the guard and show their passes. If only my parents will let me go home alone though.

I saw Momoko come from the cafeteria from the corner of my eye and I immediately stood up and waved to her. She seemed to notice me so she walked up to me with a smile. Well she's always smiling. "Hey, Kazumi!! Mom's still not here?" she asked and I nodded in return.

Momoko's mom is the driver of our service. Along with her mom, there's also one more person who isn't studying. The person I'm talking about is Moriyama-san. Mori-san for short. Momoko's blue orbs blinked and she turned her head to the side, her pink hair swaying as she did so. "You're silent today. Is it because Sachihiro isn't here?" she asked in a teasing tone, wriggling her eyebrows and I made a face.

"What makes you think that?"

"Duh, you're super duper hyper whenever he's around!! I'm smelling something!!"

"You're being ridiculous. There are times when I don't talk to him at all. And yes, sometimes I'm getting hyper because the topic is anime related or maybe it's about rythm games."

"Rhythm games? Like the Arcaea and Osu! stuff you've been talking about?"

"Uhuh. Osu! is that game where you have to click a bunch of freaking dots," I replied, imitating our friend Tadashi's weird accent. I still remember the time when he mocked one of my favorite rhythm games. It's a shame that I can't play it anymore.

"Ohh!! I remember you guys watching a video of it!!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands as her eyes sparkles in delight.

"Enough of Osu! and—"

I was interrupted when I felt a strong wave of magic somewhere near. My gaze went around the place, hoping that I could find some sort of lead even without using it for now.

"Hmm?? What's wrong, Kazumi?"

I shot a sideward glance at Momoko before shaking my head and giving her a fake smile.
"It's nothing. I just thought of something that I have to do. Anyways, I'm not going to go home via school service. I have somewhere to go," I answered.

I dashed through the people, not bothering to say sorry whenever I bump into someone. I reached the guard and stopped for a few seconds to catch my breath before speaking.

"Umm, Hiro-sensei, can I check if the service had arrived?" I asked. He looked at me with eyebrows furrowed and crossed his arms.

"I don't think that they arrived yet. But go ahead." He smiled at me and opened the gate. I slipped outside and walked to the usual spot of the service. It will be suspicious if I didn't so I might as well pretend and turn the other way when I reached the end.

Now the only thing left for me to do is prevent it from causing trouble... Operation:Defeat The Evil Force commence!!

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Kazumi's about to face the mysterious monster!! Try voting to show your support for her! Don't you dare lose Kazumi!

~Kazumi_Nyay624