"That is why she will help us in preparing for the pageant," I said after introducing Sheena to Laira.

"My name is Sheena. Nice to meet you," she said with a smile.

"My name is Laira. It’s nice to meet you too,"Laira replied shyly.

Well, I asked Sheena for help because she has an experience on joining this pageant the other year. That is why I introduced her to Laira. Well, I also have another motive. I want Laira to get used to another person. That way, I can somehow speed up the resolution of her problem even if it is just a little.

"Do you have some advice for Laira?" I asked to Sheena.

Because of my question, she made a thinking pose and got silent for a minute. I wonder what kind of advice she will give to Laira.

"Charl is very tough to beat," Sheena said with a serious look, closed eyes, crossed arms while nodding.

"Everybody already knows that! Wait. Why are you calling Charlotte Charl?" Iasked.

"Huh?" she asked with a clueless face.

"Don’t tell me that she also couldn’t finish writing her whole name in an exam?" I asked, basing it on the reason why I got the nickname Or.

Sheena chuckled and replied, "This happened when I joined that pageant back then. We just converse with each other after the practice of the fashion show and just like that, we became friends. She is the one who said to call her by that nickname. Well, her close friends call her like that too so...I am not the only one who calls her like that."

Huh? Friendship can be easily built just like that? Is it because they are girls or just because I’m a loner?

"What else?" I asked.

She then smiled and looked at Laira.

"Well, just enjoy it. By doing that, I'm sure that your stage fright will lessen," Sheena continued with a smile.

Well, that's about right.

"What rank did you get when you joined?"Laira asked with an unusual curiosity.

"Twelfth," Sheena replied with a smile.

"And now, you are ranked as no. five, right? How amazing. Don't you want to join again?" Laira asked with somewhat shining eyes.

"Well, I just joined to experience it. That is why that experience is enough for me."

This is unexpected. I didn’t know that Laira can start a conversation if she wanted to. It looks like this conversation is what she dreams of doing.

"Well, she didn't even achieve the 4th runner up spot after all. I bet that she is now too scared to join," I said with a teasing smile.

"Or, how about you shut up. You're not even included in the conversation," Sheena said with furrowed eyebrows.

"Then, why are you so angry? It looks like my deduction is really right," I followed and chuckled.

"Or!"she shouted in irritation.

Gotta run!

I immediately ran around Laira with Sheena chasing after me.

"Sorry, sorry. Stop chasing me already," I said while laughing.

"In one condition. Don’t make a mockery out of me ever again!" Sheena furiously retorted.

To stop this nonsense, I immediately hid behind Laira and put my hands on her shoulders. That’s right; I made her my personal shield.

"What kind of boyfriend are you? You are even making your own girlfriend as a shield."

"Shut up! Without this, I'm sure that I will be pinched again and I don't want to feel that pain ever again!"

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You're too old to be pinched, you nasty child."

"Forgive me, Mom."

"I am not your Mom!"

Suddenly, we both heard a chuckle.

"Laira?" I called, surprised.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. It's because you both look like you're having fun," Laira commented with a smile.

Suddenly, the bell that signals the start of the class chimed. Time’s up, huh.

"Let's continue this after the class," I said to both of them.

"Right," both of them replied.

Just like that, the class ended and the three of us are now walking without a destination.

Right now, Sheena and Laira are walking side by side while I’m following them from behind. I decided to put a meter of distance between us so Laira can get used in having a conversation with a girl. Because the usual red headphone around my neck is now on my ear, I can’t properly here the conversation. I can lessen the volume of the anime soundtracks that I am currently listening to right now but I decided not to do it. Well, I'm not interested in eavesdropping to their conversation. Also, by doing this, they can talk about whatever they want.

"How long did you and Orel been acquainted?"Laira asked to Sheena.

"Well, since 1st grade. I also learn that day that our parents are cousins."

"But it’s amazing that you two still get along well," Laira commented with a smile.

"Well, if I leave him alone, he will surely become a certified loner and I don't want that to happen. Isn't it pitiful? And also, I don't want that to happen again..." Sheena whispered at the end with sudden sad eyes.

"Did something happen to Orel before?" Laira asked curiously.

Sheena suddenly gave me a glimpse and saw me walking while my eyes are shut.

"It looks like he can’t hear us," Sheena whispered to Laira.

"Why?" Laira asked.

"Well, this happened back when we were still 6thgraders. Because I got assigned to a different class, Or did something without consulting me first."

"..."

"He confessed to May."

"May?"

"She is ranked as no. 2 in this year's survey."

"..."

"But don't worry, because I'm sure that Or doesn't like her anymore."

"It's not like that. I'm just wondering if she will also join," Laira muttered with a worried look.

"That's impossible," Sheena said with a smile.

"But why?"

"She is the serious type after all. All she cares about is studying. Did you know that she is the smartest student in our batch?"

"So she is that beautiful girl with the photographic memory."

"Right."

"I wonder what kind of person May is,"Laira whispered with a curious face.

"Where are we again?”

"About Orel's confession. What happened after that?"

"Well, he got rejected but because he still confessed to her, some guy named Nick, got angry to him and started bullying him."

"But why?"

"Isn't it obvious? It's because that Nick also likes May. That guy...he is really irritating," Sheena whispered with furrowed eyebrows.

"So...he also got bullied…just like me,"Laira thought with a sudden sad face.

"But that's not all. That Nick, he set-up Or to a mischief."

"What kind of mischief?"

"Theft. But, you know that Or will never do that, right?"

"Of course. I believe in him,"Laira replied seriously.

"That is why I am leaving him in your care. He is not the type who always asks for help so help him whenever your intuition kicks in," Sheena followed with a smile.

"Hey!" I suddenly called with a serious expression.

Because of my sudden call, both of them got surprised.

"How long have you been listening?" Sheena asked.

"I didn't hear a thing. I just removed my headphone after all. What are you two talking about?"

"It's nothing. Anyway, why are you calling us?" Sheena asked with a somewhat forced smile.

"Why did we enter the mall?" I asked.

"!"

"!"

It looks like they are more surprised than me.

"Well, my feet brought me here," Sheena replied with a smile.

As expected to a girl with lots of friends. The fact that she always go here after the class came to light.

"Then, should we enter since we're already here?" I asked.

"Wait. That's a good idea. How about we go to the food court in the ground floor and decide what we're going to do to prepare for Laira's big event."

"Not a bad idea. Let's go then," I replied.

WhenI looked at Laira, I noticed that she got lost in her thoughts. I wonder if Sheena told something strange to her.

"Laira?" I called.

"S-sure. Let's go," she replied and gave me a smile.

After that, we went to the ground floor where the food court can be found. Well, the food court here is just ordinary. It has lots of chairs and tables for public use and because this mall is near to two private schools and two public schools, it became the holy ground for students after their classes. We then sat down and decided to discuss the problem.

"The next problem is the talent portion alright," I started.

"How about the fashion show?"Laira asked with a clueless face.

Please, I don't want to talk about that anymore considering what happened in the last two chapters.

"Just remember what you did last week. Isn't that more embarrassing than walking in front of a crowd?" I asked to Laira with slight blushed cheeks.

"Y-you're...right..." she replied shyly.

"What are you two talking about?" Sheena asked.

"There are things in this world that you should never know and this is an example," I instantly retorted in a straight face.

"Huh? Why? I'm more curious now. Laira, what's that?" Sheena asked to Laira, clearly interested to know about what happened.

Laira suddenly averted her gaze and said, "Sorry, Sheena...I just can't tell it..."

"You too? Jeez. Well, it's fine. Sometimes, there are secrets that you would never tell to someone after all," Sheena followed with a resigned smile.

"You're...you're not just someone to me anymore. You are already my friend and I now like you very much,"Laira said with a serious face.

Because of that, Sheena gave her a smile and replied, "Thanks. Those words are enough to me."

"Yuri[1]?" I interrupted.

"Wha...what kind of brain do you have? Can you at least stop from harassing me if your girlfriend is here?" Sheena said in a scary tone.

"Yuri?"Laira asked with a puzzled expression.

"Don't mind that nasty kid. That is just some nonsense."

"?"

"Back to the topic. What is your talent, Laira?" I asked.

"..."

"Let's revise the question. Which do you prefer to watch, a singer or a dance performance?" I continued.

"A singer...perhaps."

"Then, you will sing in the talent portion," I immediately announced.

Because of that, the two girls got surprised.

"Is something wrong?" I asked with my usual serious expression.

"Or, what kind of decision-making is that?" Sheena retorted with furrowed eyebrows.

"All the participants will surely use either of the two so what is the harm of imitating them?" I asked.

"That is not the point. You should let Laira decide. Laira, what do you want to do?"

"I'm fine with...singing," Laira replied shyly.

"See? Then, it's decided," I announced.

"Are you sure? You're not being forced by Orel's words, right?" Sheena asked with a worried look.

"I'm not, don't worry," Laira replied with a smile.

Is it just me or it seems like I'm the bad guy here?

"Well, I have a feeling that Laira has a beautiful voice when she sings so I think it’s fine," Sheena said with a smile.

"N-not really," Sheena replied shyly.

Well, I also agree. Laira can even become a voice actress. I can see a bright future.

"Then, let's start practicing," Sheena said with excitement.

Not that place again.

"I'm gonna give happiness~" Sheena sang as the song ends.

After Sheena finished singing, Laira clapped her hands like a little kid.

"Thank you, thank you," she replied like a singer thanking her fans in her concert.

This karaoke center again and on top of that, it is the same room. Darn, I have to forget it.

"Orel, don't you want to sing?" Laira asked.

"Or, your eyes are getting more squinty. Did you just remember something unpleasant?" Sheena questioned.

"My eyes are already like this since I was born," I retorted seriously.

"Did you just remember that '50 incident' again?" Sheena asked with a teasing smile.

"50?"Laira asked with a clueless face.

"Hey!" I shouted, trying to stop her from talking.

"Well, this happened when Or and I were still at 9th grade. I invited him and Sylph, here to hang out," Sheena started with a smile.

"Sylph is Orel's younger sister, right?" Laira asked.

"Yup. Well, back then, Or has this unwavering confidence about his voice even if he's a tone deaf. And after he finished singing, the karaoke gave him a score of 00, the lowest score possible. But that's not all. After that machine gave him a score, Sylph suddenly chuckled. Poor, Or. Since then, he never sang again."

"As a brother, that must be a real shock," Laira commented with eyes somewhat pitying me.

"You got that right. Especially if that brother is a sisconlike Or."

"Siscon[2]?" Laira repeated, clueless.

"Hmm? Or, can you please explain to her the meaning of siscon?"

"I'm not a siscon! Can you please stop that conversation? Did you forget the reason why we are here?" I retorted with squinted eyes.

"I forgot. Laira, what song do you want to sing?" Sheena asked.

"..."

To help her decide, I grabbed the song book and gave it to her.

"Choose there," I said.

"Yes."

"Or, how about a duet with me?" Sheena asked with a teasing smile.

"Shut up," I replied in irritation.

"Then, I will sing by myself," she said and grabbed the remote.

Jeez. How many songs will you sing until you’re satisfied?

While Sheena is singing in a very enthusiastic manner, I watched Laira flip the pages of the songbook.

"..."

"..."

"You stopped flipping the page there. Did you

"Yes," she replied with a nervous look.

Suddenly, the familiar sound when the karaoke is announcing your score has been heard throughout the room.

"95. Learn from me, Or," Sheena said proudly.

"What's the number combination? I will enter it for you," I said after getting the remote.

"Thanks but...I will do it. I want to prepare myself," she said with a nervous smile and took it from my hand.

“Okay. You can do it,” I said with a smile.

She then took a deep breath and made a determined face.

It looks like she's finally ready.

She then entered the number combination and the word "Another World, Another me" flashed on the screen.

"It's my first time encountering that song," Sheena whispered.

When she started singing, we both got completely silent. It's like we are listening to an angel while she is singing. Her voice cleared our minds and soul. It is completely on a different level.

The song ended and the score 100 flashed on the screen.

"..."

"..."

“Does it...sucks?"Laira asked with a worried face.

Sheena suddenly held Laira’s hands and with a big smile, replied, "It is so beautiful. You're amazing."

"..."

We can win. With Laira’s voice...we can be victorious!

And so, the day ended. I think it is now time to prolong the story once again with a monologue. I mean, the last chapters are quite short so let's prolong this one a little bit. With that said, let's continue.

Humans are like moths. Moths are said to be attracted to lights. They always try their best to get near at that light even though it is dangerous. Well, that is their way of living just like humans. In the case of humans, they are also attracted to a shining existence. They believe that getting near to that person can bring them happiness. "If I'm near to this person, I'm sure that I will become popular too" is what they are thinking. Well, everyone has the right to pursue happiness. Happiness comes in different forms so it is not right to mock someone's way of living. Let me make it clear, I am not mocking mankind. I am just revealing the human nature itself. Are you getting angry at a newscaster if they are saying something unpleasant about your showbiz idol? Wait, some do. Anyway, what I want to say is what I’m doing is just a revelation of facts. Also, I always mention 'humans' in my monologue but that doesn't mean that all humans are like that. I am a human too after all. You're familiar with rounding off in math right? I just applied the same logic.

One week left before the pageant, the scenery around the usual room suddenly changed. Before I know it, Laira became the star of our section. She finally gained some friends especially girls. Well, she is the only one joining the pageant in our section after all. That is why all of my classmates are supporting her.

After the class, Laira got called in the faculty building by our adviser. Well, Laira insisted that I should accompany her. Well, even though she can talk to everyone properly now, she can still be shy when talking to someone alone.

Just like that, we arrived at the math department room. I then opened the door and entered the room with Laira behind me.

The room is quite big than you would expect from the outside. There are office tables lined horizontally for each Math teachers here.

After scanning the room, we finally found our adviser who is sitting on her assigned place.

Our adviser's name is Ms. Sarrah. In appearance, she looks like she is in her 20's eventhough she is already past 30. Well, she is not that beautiful but I can say for sure that she is the most beautiful teacher in this school.

"Are you ready?" she suddenly asked to Laira after we stopped before her.

"N-not yet," she replied with a nervous expression.

What an honest answer.

She then laughed and said, "Then, what are you planning to do in the talent portion?"

"I will sing and Orel will play the violin."

"Huh? I didn't expect that yo can play a violin, Auti."

This old hag...calling me by that darn nickname again.

"Then, what song will you sing?" Ms. Sarrah asked.

"I...composed it,"Laira replied very shyly.

"Really? You're amazing. Can I hear it now?" Ms. Sarrah requested with a smile.

"It is...not yet finish,"Laira replied.

"Can you make it?" Ms. Sarrah asked.

"Don't worry. It is almost finished," I replied.

"How about the music? Did Laira also compose that?"

"Yes,” I continued.

“Anyway, I think that playing the violin suits you," Ms. Sarrah commented with a smile.

“I didn't know that you find me elegant," I followed with a smirk.

“Jeez. Where did you get that self-confidence? What I mean is violin can be played alone, right? Even though it can choose between a solo and an orchestra, it is more appreciated when played alone."

“…”

"Can't you fix that face of yours? You're scaring me you know."

"Where the heck did that come from? Unfortunately, I’ve been born with this face thank you."

Why is she always pointing out what she sees wrong in me?

"Your eyes, it is scaring me. How about smiling for a change?"

"You've just said that my eyes are scary, right? If I add a smile, I might be labeled as a pervert."

Because of what I've said, Ms. Sarrah laughed out loud.

"Well, it is still correct, right?"she followed.

"Of course not!" I retorted.

"Then, do you have evidence?"Ms. Sarrah asked.

"The one who should present evidence is the one who throws a theory or else...it will just become a lie made by that person."

"What an outstanding defense but I already know that boys around your age are always thinking of girls. I'm sure of it."

"Not all boys are like that and the perfect evidence is me."

"Then, what is always in your mind?"

I wonder what indeed? How to achieve world peace? How to prevent global warming? How to eliminate corrupt politicians? How to provide jobs to jobless people? How to create the ideal world? How can I go to Akihabara? Darn, I can’t think of a good reply!

"See?" she said with a face of a victor.

Eureka!

"I am always thinking about a solution on how to make the employment of teachers strict especially on high school. You know, just including the rule of not hiring a violent teacher will be really good."

"O-rel Ta-ka-ha-ra..." she said with a very scary face, enough to make me shiver.

"Orel,"Laira said with a worried face.

Is she telling me to apologize? Why? I just beat her in an argument, right? I just protected all high school boys, right?

Suddenly, the cross produced a red light and formed these choices in front of me:

[Apologize.]

[Don't apologize.]

Hey, cross of salvation! Are you saying that this is important? Jeez! Whatever! I just have to apologize, right?

"S-sorry," I said in a low tone.

"Well, I am not really angry. I am not that immature to get angry at a naughty student. But since you've apologized to me, I will now treat you as a human being as of today," she said with a sudden cheerful smile.

What? Is she perhaps treating me as garbage this whole time?

"Ma'am, sorry for the interruption but...can you now tell me the reason why you've called me here? I have a curfew so..."Laira suddenly asked.

"That's right. I forgot. Well, I've called you here to inform you that I am the one who will teach you the proper posture and other important things needed in order for you to be prepared in the upcoming fashion show of the pageant."

"..."

"Isn't that on Thursday?" I asked.

"This is not related to that because that practice's goal is the perfection of the program. That means that whether you perform good or bad at the pageant, they don’t care."

"So the entrance of the candidates is the one that they’re gonna fix," I muttered.

"That’s right."

"Then, why are you bothering to train Laira? You won’t benefit from this, won’t you?" I asked in a serious face.

"Is that your logic supposed to be? I’m doing this because I want to, that’s all. Also, I’ve been doing this since I started teaching here. Just so you know I’m the one who trained Charl last year?” she said with a very proud face.

"..."

"Laira, do you want me to train you?"

"O-of course, Ma’am," she replied nervously.

"Don’t be too nervous. Sheena already told you to just enjoy this whole thing, right?" I asked with a smile.

"..."

"That’s right. In that way, your smile will be more natural when you’re on stage," Ms. Sarrah followed.

“…”

She then took a deep breath to get rid of her nervousness.

"I will!" she replied with a determined smile.

"Then, let’s start!"

Starting that day, Laira trained as hard as she can and just like that, the day of the contest finally arrived.