March 22nd.

Back to our sub-plan, Kuzan and I kept on stalking Kan and Ryoken throughout every event that they went to.

At first, they might've been way too self-aware, but now, they were starting to get even more self-aware, to the point of making sure that we wouldn't get in their way again.

Thus, they both awaited us at the entrance of one of the external blocks and faced us.

"You guys are annoying. There are other events. Take a hike."

Not too happy, Kan lashed back at us immediately.

Kan was Kuzan's priority in this scenario, so I didn't speak for him.

"Woah, what a coincidence! We are going to the same event again!? Man, oh man, isn't that like the 12th time now?!"

Truth to be told, we've been attending events non-stop for quite a while now. Or, events that these two would eventually come to.

All thanks to Kawahara leaking us the info. Is he on top of a roof watching them from afar or something like that?

"Coincidence, my ass. You stalkers have been chasing after us this whole time. Want to take a beating?!"

"Kan, you're not making much sense. Not only are we not stalking you guys, but there is no rule saying that hypothetically speaking, we can't just do that. By the way, we are totally not doing that. You guys are losing it."

Of course, that was just pure sarcasm on my part. We have been stalking them all this time.

What's so great about this is that Kuzan and I have been constantly placing either second or first place in every competition for one simple reason.

We are cheating.

"Oh fuck off Daniel. We already know everything about it. It's not just you two. Rayazaki and Kawahara have been doing the same. The only difference is that it didn't apply to us, but Susaga and Sagasuga. You can try and hide it all you want it's not gonna make a fucking difference."

I'm not sure why Ryoken thinks that that was a confident statement to make.

Are you that confident that you are going to lose every time?

"However, that's about to change. You two retards have been decimating every event with too much success. How?!"

"By using our brains, right, Aniki?"

"Technically, yes, Kuzan."

I'm serious. Technically speaking, this is only possible because we are using our brains. There really isn't a counter-argument here.

Nevertheless, Ryoken wasn't going to take that.

"You goddamn cheaters, you think that we didn't notice? You two are so dumb at every exam that it makes no sense for you two to be this successful! That's way too suspicious!"

"No, we just weren't actually trying before, right, Kuzan?"

"True, Aniki. What's the point in trying every time? If we can just save our immense abundant knowledge for situations like these then it's far more worth it!"

"That's right, that's the way."

Although, partially speaking, this feels exactly like that time where I got the exam answers before the actual exam played out.

"I bet it's Kawahara that's behind this sudden feat. As Ryoken said, it's way too suspicious. But still, to think that Kawahara would go so far just to help out the likes of you losers. I didn't know he had a soft spot."

Kan is way more relaxed than usual. Not as aggressive but way laxer.

Sincerely, I suspect that he might've smoked too much weed this morning.

"So, what's the holdup? Aren't you guys going to the event that's about to occur?"

They are just standing at the entrance while blocking our path. What's the deal?

"Since you two are stalking us nonstop, we aren't going to let you do as you like. So, no. We won't."

"Well, okay. Let's go, Kuzan."

"Yeah."

If they aren't going to do anything, then don't bother.

Or so, Kawahara said. Thus, Kuzan and I attempted to exit the scene, but someone just couldn't believe his own eyes.

"Wait, what the hell!? You two stalk us nonstop but then you just quit like that?"

I turned around to face Ryoken who was mildly angry at the fact that we had embraced a loser's attitude, but I do agree with this tactic.

No point in wasting time if they aren't going to do anything.

Though, this probably has a deeper meaning.

"We aren't stalking you guys. Here is the evidence. We will just walk away."

It's a different story if they decide to sign up in any event. Then, it all changes.

Nevertheless, as we left them behind, I had places to go in specific.

"Kuzan, I'm departing ways for now."

"Got it. I'll give you a call if they make a move, Aniki."

"Sure."

Even if Kuzan calls me, I'm not sure if I'll be able to give up my time for this.

Stalking someone isn't exactly my cup of tea. More so when it's an order from someone like Kawahara.

As I aimlessly ventured through the campus, I gave Hyunda a call.

Last night, Hyunda told me that if I wanted to call Sana that I would have to contact him first due to the fact that he has her SIM card now.

However, his explanation was somewhat way more complicated than that. Apparently, by giving him a call, he will subtly tell Arkalee to reach out to Sana directly and she will then Sana to meet up with me.

Furthermore, he said that Arkalee would actually not tell Sana to meet me, but just to go somewhere where Yulia was and thus, the thing would be... It would be all intentional.

I am not sure why Hyunda is going through such a complicated process.

"Yo, Hyunda?"

"Who else?"

Well, that was a dumb question, yeah.

Actually, I just thought that for some strange reason that leech would be answering his call, considering how things have been developing as of lately.

It appears not.

"I need to meet up with Sana."

"Got it. Give me a few minutes."

"Yeah."

All that was left now was to wait around a few minutes.

Which meant that I would have to spend time on something else. I could call Yulia. I bet that would surprise her.

Yet if I did, that would be implying that I want to spend time with her when I don't. I think, therefore, I should relax a little bit and ease my mind.

With that in mind, I took a seat in a near-by bench and let myself feel the swirling turbulent gust of winds that ravaged the pacific air around me.

Fully relaxing, I allowed my back to contract to the maximum.

"Ahh, why won't she love me?"

That didn't last long, supposedly...

Because as soon as I attempted to relax just for a second, out of some sort of bizarre coincidence, a red-haired individual from my class took a seat right next to me.

This person looked fully sad, as he portrayed countless rejections and multiple attempts of making his way onto someone's heart despite being rejected over and over.

"Akihiko... You're still going on about that?"

I found it completely mediocre to even mention, but he wasn't successful with his confession. Hinagiku just keeps on saying no and no like no tomorrow.

Plus, this creates the image of a rejected loser who is desperate for a girlfriend. Truly speaking, at our age, getting a girlfriend is more of an emblem than an actual romantic goal.

Throughout this school, I've witnessed so many students that have girlfriends yet they probably just view them as objects of recognition and nothing more.

Not that I can speak in this matter though.

"Man, I can't help it! I really love her but she won't love me back! Isn't it just a cruel treatment?! She won't even give me her number..."

"Akihiko, why do you want to be Hinagiku's boyfriend that badly? Just because she has a cute face?"

"Mhm? I mean, yeah. Isn't that what everyone thinks when they want a girlfriend? As long as they have a cute appealing face then they are valid, right?"

If we go by that logic then every single person that takes care of her/his appearance to an acceptable level is considered a valid person to be your girlfriend/boyfriend.

Actually...

That's kinda it nowadays, isn't it? No wonder there isn't a huge fuzz about value when it comes to this topic alone.

But...

"That might be what is considered as valid nowadays, but isn't it more important to know what you want?"

"Mhm... I haven't thought about that. I've been too busy trying to win her heart, but Hinagiku's just way too stubborn in the sense where we can't even hold a talk. I think she called me a creep once."

That shouldn't come to you as a surprise...

If you disturb someone to that extent then it's really no wonder that you will be labeled as a creep. It makes me think of that leech Arkalee when this subject is brought up.

"You should think about that then. Also, you should be aware of something if you actually plan on winning her."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Hinagiku probably has a crush on Rayazaki but she's not willingly being open about it."

Confusing case honestly.

Hyunda implied multiple times that Hinagiku might've been manipulating Rayazaki but at this point, I think that was just overthinking from his personal part.

Because as it stands, it might just be the case. However, Rayazaki had a sudden change of attitude and stance. His rash impulsiveness is completely gone as he isn't that obsessed over Hinagiku either.

On the other hand, this caused Hinagiku to notice the abrupt change in his behavior causing her to probably desire his attention? Henceforth, Akihiko's endeavor has been useless.

Either that or she just doesn't like him, period.

"The hell!? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Because I don't really care.

"What difference would it make?"

"Everything! Alright, I'm gonna beat the crap out of the guy now."

Huh...?

"Wait, you're serious. Ok, but why do you think that beating Rayazaki is a good idea? And why do you deem it as necessary?"

"Duh, it's obvious! Chicks dig the superior guy! And, recently, I found out about something..."

Akihiko leaned on to my left ear and whispered words of interest that were news to me.

"Apparently, I'm really good at fighting."

No, I don't really believe in what he has just said. He's probably in a state of delusion that you have no control over.

The fact that he got rejected so many times made his brain think that he needs to at least compensate in some area.

"What makes you think that?"

This time he backed off slowly and spoke in return.

"That's because I had a really strange dream yesterday. I had a dream where I faced off against a couple of students from this school and a guard included. I felt like I had the spirit of a god inside me!"

"Akihiko, that was just a dream... If I dream of flying in my dreams, then does that mean I can fly in reality?"

"Mhm..... Probably not, right? Yo, but I'm serious! It felt so real! Super real! It's a sign, right?! That I'm good at fighting!"

"No, that's not a sign. Things that happen in your dreams may be connected to reality in a way, but they don't represent actual events that happened."

Although... This isn't to say that the latter can't happen, it's just really unusual.

"I don't buy it. Let's have a fight then. I'll prove it to you that I'm actually really good at fighting!"

Is he serious...? He's even getting up from the bench while forming a boxing stance...

Not that I mind a fight, but I'm not feeling it right now. Plus, there are people watching. That's just not an option.

"Pass. But hey, if you are confident, then just walk up to him. No guarantees that your idea will work though."

I am a thousand percent sure that his idea of impressing Hinagiku by beating Rayazaki in a fight will not work.

And there's also the fact that Rayazaki is actually pretty good at fighting if I do say so myself. However, in his current state, I doubt that he will accept Akihiko's proposition.

He will just tell him that he doesn't care about Hinagiku and that he can have her.

"Whaaat? Dude, come on. Let's fight!"

"I said no already. Take a look around you. If you attract enough attention then someone will call a guard. Do you want that?"

"Didn't you listen to what I said a while ago? I beat up a guard in my dreams. So, why can't I do it right here and now?"

Common sense is really good when used against logical individuals. But extremely inefficacious when used against illogical and stubborn individuals.

As a matter of fact, arguments don't really work against someone that just doesn't care about logic in general. That's why physical fights profit those types of individuals.

"Dreams and reality are different, dude. You do know that, right?"

"They are? Actually, how do I have dreams in the first place? I don't really know."

"That doesn't matter now. Akihiko, you aren't going to get Hinagiku's attention in a positive way like that. You need to think for yourself a little bit instead of relying on examples you see every day..."

It's not the greatest of ideas to just take what everyone else does for granted. That just goes to show how much originality you lack in general...

But just from this conversation alone, it's as if this is something he doesn't actually know...

"Think for myself...? That's kinda hard, man. Because I don't know anything about her. Hey, what would you do if you were in my position?"

"In your position? First of all, I would not commit the stupid action of falling in love with someone based on looks alone. Secondly ---- Oh wait, that's it. That's really all you need to know if I was in your position."

"You're boring, man. Are you scared of being in love or something?"

"No, it's just a waste of time, if you think about it. By committing yourself to someone you are abandoning a part of yourself and that just means that you, as a person alone, weren't up to the task of living up to yourself."

But, of course, your average person will just say that that's the whole point of love. To lose a part of yourself in order to gain a new brighter side.

I additionally can't understand just how someone can go that far for someone you barely know. Even in the scenario that you happen to know the person for a long time, what does it all matter?

"That's a lot of 'self', man. You're kinda selfish. Maybe that's why you can't get what I am saying."

"The same could go for you. If you are too selfless then there isn't room for understanding either..."

This isn't narcissism, I just dislike the idea of serving others on an obsessive level while abandoning your individuality in the process.

If you are always with yourself throughout your whole life, then if you start to believe that you are meant to be with someone, then you will receive a false sense of reality.

As you would say, Hyunda. Oh yeah. What do you think about this? Do you have some shocking opinions about this?

Probably.

"But, Daniel, if you are too selfish then you can't find the joy in things. It's all just colorless."

Leaving those words behind, Akihiko left the scene.

At last, I was able to resume my moment of silence as I witnessed students passing by. Some would look at me transiently before looking forward again. Their looks would only stay permanent for just a few seconds.

It's funny. Really, if you think about it. As you go through your days, there are countless people who do this endlessly yet at the end of it all, will I remember any of them?

No.

I won't.

Why would I be able to remember them? They don't mean anything to me so, why does this thought linger to the back of my mind? Is it strange that I bother myself with all these little details and that I view life from a perspective that is different from the others?

I think about this quite often but what is the point of being here if I'm just one of the billions that came here out of coincidence? Am I too naive to understand the obvious meaning that this life has to offer to me? Why can't I think just like everyone else and live a life of common standards instead of constantly thinking to myself that something spectacular will eventually happen and my life will drastically change?

It's all just colorless as you mentioned, Akihiko.

"Oh, about time."

Hyunda's name appeared on my phone's screen, so I naturally answered the call.

"That took you a while, Hyunda."

"Try to put yourself in my shoes and you'll realize soonly that the fact that I'm making you a call this freely should be completely impossible."

Christ Hyunda, just what the hell are you going through right now? Is that leech that obsessive over you?

"Alright, I get it, it's hard for you."

"No, I was just joking. It's not hard. Well, that aside, she's going to the theaters right now. Be quick."

"Thanks for the info. Also, one weird question..."

"Quick, I don't have that much time. My privacy is limited these days and it might just be a matter of time before it's completely stripped."

I'm not sure if I want to know what Hyunda's situation looks like now. He's speaking like he's in a horror movie trying to run away from the killer but in a very relaxed monochromatic voice tone.

"Alright. Which is more important? The part where you only care for yourself or the part where you don't care about yourself?"

In other words, the 'self' or the 'selfless' part. I wonder what's his take on this?

"Nothing is more important than the 'self'. If you lose yourself, then who are you? No one. Gotta go."

Without wasting any more time, Hyunda ended the call.

"So that's what you think about it..."

You also value the 'self' too, huh? As I thought, we actually bare a lot of similarities.

Then does that mean that you already know what you want to be and what you want to achieve in life? Is that how you set your mentality for yourself to be in total control at all times?

"Wait, this isn't the time to be reflecting about that. I got somewhere to be at."

The theaters, was it?

If I recall correctly, the theaters are located in the north part of the school near the entrance. Furthermore, the theaters are usually open during the weekend and not during the week, which means now is a good time to be inside one...

Speaking of which, I never went inside it.

"Okay, time to move out."

Thus, with fast speed, I reached the theaters' entrance that was located near a small building only containing the theaters' rooms and five registration lines. On the outside of the theaters though, there was a visible agenda for the movie that would be on display today.

Semi-crowded, a diversity of students from all years could be witnessed throughout the registration lines and as probably implied, inside the theaters' rooms.

From the looks of it, this doesn't operate based on the movies from actuality, since I saw a bunch of movies that were on theaters years ago.

In other words, this was more of a nostalgia source center than anything else. The whole purpose of going to the theaters would be either checking out new movies or rewatching those new movies. Aside from that, you can just watch any old movies on the internet illegally or be a complete idiot and buy the physical copies.

I mean, if people enjoy wasting money openly like that, then that's their problem. However, this theater served only the purpose of nostalgia from my perspective.

Which ultimately implied that someone with such a feeling would come here on her own.

Walking inside the entrance, I saw Sana from afar glancing the agenda, which meant that she was probably indecisive about her choice.

Naturally, I had to make my presence be as coincidental as possible.

"Sana? What are you doing here?"

Upon hearing my voice, Sana turned around and looked at me as if surprised.

"Daniel... How did you know I was here...?"

"How? I didn't. I came here to see a movie. I didn't expect to catch you here though."

It's a pretty bad lie since I have no money with me at all. Yet Sana has no way of knowing that I'm that financially unstable.

I would be an awful husband, financially speaking.

"Really? What movie?"

It would be pretty awkward if I just randomly chose a movie that was on the agenda right now because that would imply that I actually was here intentionally and not coincidentally.

Fortunately, a movie that I am very much familiar with caught my intention.

Now, I'm not a slave to nostalgia but for this one movie in specific, exceptions can be made.

"Superbad. It's just the best comedy movie of all time, nothing much."

I almost screamed when I saw that Superbad was actually an option here. I really, really almost just unleashed a gigantic childish shout out of the blue.

I mean it.

"Pffft. It can't be that good. You're just overrating it!"

"I'm serious. It's really that good. But, I can't show you how good it is."

"And why is that? I can just watch by myself and tell if it's as good as you say."

Yeah, she can just do that. True, true.

But, but.

"You could do that, true. However, would you be able to understand the deep philosophies that the movie portrays in the characters that are also additionally masked by the belly-rolling comedy? You probably wouldn't. It took me 7 re-watches to completely nail all the easter eggs and multiple philosophical ideas the movie tries to teach us."

That's the thing about comedy movies. The viewer will initially just think that it's only a comedy movie without any other intended purposes but the actual philosophical implications are so deep that the viewer will not understand them at first due to the fact that the omnipresent comedy completely drives the viewer's attention away.

Therefore, it's incredibly hard to notice them at first.

Yet that's why it's a really good comedy. A really good comedy is exactly like that. It has to be so strong and consistent that all the other factors are simply minor to it. Even if they actually are deep as hell.

"You sound like the type of person who would spoil the whole movie in the first minutes..."

"No, come on. That's just not true. I can hold myself back. I do have some empathy when it comes to that."

It's a different story when it comes to watching movies or just any medium. If the viewers need to have a personal experience on his/her own, then I can understand the necessity of keeping my mouth shut when the time requires it.

"...How many times have you watched it...?"

"Technically eight times."

"Eight times?! You love it that much?!"

"Yeah, I wasn't joking about it. I laugh every time I watch the McLovin scene."

Out of occasion, I go on YouTube just to rewatch it and the magic is still there.

And for the record, Sana, although skeptical at first, is starting to be more open about this.

From my understanding she was being quite indecisive about the movie she was going to watch, so I just went ahead and mentioned Superbad.

"Ugh, you're already spoiling it..."

"No, I'm not. You don't know the context yet. So, technically not a spoiler."

"I'm gonna judge you if it's actually a spoiler..."

Upon hearing that last sentence, it seems as if she's suggesting something that would actually do me a great favor.

"Then, does that mean that you want to watch it?"

"I suppose I wouldn't mind. I can't make up my mind about what I want to watch and I want to roast your bad taste afterward if the movie is straight-up terrible."

"I have bad news for you. There's nothing to roast because the movie is gold."

"We'll see about that. By the way, pay me."

"Ladies first Sana. Go ahead and pay for us."

"Us? What do you mean us?"

Honesty is a disease. Sometimes you just can't help but show it on occasions or every so often more than occasionally.

For me, in crucial times, it's a weapon of great usage.

Thus, with my two hands, I dove right into my pockets and pulled them out and Sana, out of disgust made a displeasing face as soon as she realized the intent of my action.

"You have no dignity..."

In my defense, I only implied that I wanted to watch the movie, not pay it. Even if watching it means paying it...

Whatever. In the end, Sana bought both our tickets and we went inside the theater room and watched Superbad.

2 hours later.

"Oh my god! Hahaha!! That was soooo good! That's a 2007's movie!? What?! Why don't they make movies like that nowadays?!"

On our way out of the theaters, Sana couldn't help but express herself while laughing almost hysterically after watching the movie.

As for me, I was mildly still laughing too.

"See!? I told you it was good!"

"No, no. You told me it was good, but you didn't tell me it was THAT good! Hahaha!!! O-Oh, by the way, loved the McLovin scene! The whole scene was sooo stupid! Who the hell picks McLovin as their name and only name!? Hahaha! The best part is that it was either that or Mohammed! Oh my lord, I'm creasing!"

I have no idea why but seeing someone enjoy a movie that I actually deeply like just brings a smile to my face.

But, something completely erased that premature smile from my face.

Or rather, someone.

"So this is where you two have been."

Glaring us with dead eyes, Yulia greeted us with the most dead-toned words I have ever heard from her.