V. Secret Base: Just the two of us, but not really…

“…”

“…”

There were only the sound of the engine inside the car, and the heave sighing instances made by Me, Kyrie-senpai, and her driver. It was not too long since they have ‘abducted’ me. But Kyrie-senpai said she just wanted to talk. But it really looked like the prior.

Did anybody from the faculty noticed me got abducted?

I doubt that was the case. Kyrie-senpai notified Shiryuu-senpai about this and it would seem like they have already planned this even before us walking towards the school. Who even knew how much the extent of her family’s influence reached the school faculty.

Wait no! now’s not the time to think about that! Besides, they seemed like a family who would not abuse their influence and power just to have their child’s silly requests granted.

Brrrrrrrrrrr

The car was a vintage one so the engine’s sound could be heard from all over the place. But besides it’s distinguishable looks and the sound of the engine, it looked so highly maintained and comfortable to ride with. The seats were covered with white leather with black linings and is really comfy. The window was tinted, so whoever would know what’s happening inside should be an esper or something.

“Uhm, Kyrie-senpai?”

“Shush—now’s not the time for you to talk yet.”

“What—??!”

“Sigh… Just kidding, just kidding. Oh well, I guess you can talk.”

And I’m always the one who doesn’t have any choice?

“I’ve been asking since before you’ve forced me to come on your little trip. I guess it’s about time you tell me since me joining this is already inevitable.”

“It won’t be a surprise if I tell you right now.”

“…”

She had a point, but that was not the issue. I’ve mailed my parents right on time that there would be an after-school club activity so I would get home late, but what if this would be an overnight trip? I would not want them to worry much about me, while I was with Kyrie-senpai’s company.

I didn’t want to make excuses because I was forced to join a silly joyride just for her fun. And I didn’t want to add up any more problems than what I’ve been thinking like ‘let’s play a silly guess where we’re going game’ or ‘dear mam and sir we have your child so prepare this ransom money… teehee~~ just kidding’.

Eitherways, the situation had turn very unfavorable on my end but as much as I wanted to complain I could just make a silly remark.

“You know, sometimes I just wanna pull your straight silky long hair just to get you off your high horse.”

Ugh I’ve done it now.

“Fufufu. I’ll go ahead and see you try.”

It was an invitation, more than a threat. But the fact that I was the one who snapped first, meant that I already lost the conversational battle since word one. It was already rude to pull the hair of the town’s most known family’s daughter in a bratty manner, in front of her personal driver.

“Just to be sure, my dead body won’t be found at a creek or beside the road or cemented at a container and thrown at the bottom of the sea, right?”

“Fufufu you’re starting to give me weird ideas.”

“Why would it be my fault anyways?! From the very start wasn’t I the victim??!!”

“Why would you be?”

“Oh! Great question! Why would I be?! This was way too sudden!”

“Sudden? I can’t ever recall this being forced.”

Then at that very moment,

It was then a memory flashed with me, but it was still unclear, so I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me. In any case, I need to make things clear or might need someone to make me remember what really happened. Kyrie-senpai’s memory had always been as clear as glass. She wouldn’t blurt out something out of the blue.

“Eh? Wha?—Bu-bu-but… That was…”

“Fu fu fu. You really seem to be clueless. Well let me tell you: you might want to remember what I’ve told you right after you’ve signed up your club registration form.”

Ah—

She was right. There was a memory of from when she was saying, ‘Please spare me your time this Friday. I’d like to have a little chat with you, if you’re free.’ And with me answering ‘Hmmm. I don’t have activities this Friday, so I think I could spare time.’ Then afterwards she asked Shiryuu-senpai to make preparations.

It was a memory that certainly happened.

“Ah, hehehe~~ whatever do you mean?” –I feigned ignorance…

“I guess you finally remembered. You sure took your time.”

“A-a-about what? What?”

“Fu fu fu.”

…but I could not. I was so embarrassed. How could I mess up so bad in front of the president? Not to mention her driver had seen an embarrassing side of me too. We didn’t even know each other but still, what if he thinks her young lady is being associated with a dumbass of a junior. If that story reaches out to her parents that would be the end of her. She would get pulled out of the campus just because of a scene I’ve caused.

“Awa—awawawa!!”

There was a swirling sensation building up inside me. It made me lost my sense of speech.

“Fuhahahaha!! No worries. Come on now.”

I came back to my senses due to her laughter which I’ve seen for the very first time. Ever since I joined the club she almost never laughed, let alone smiled at times. But I thought that’s fine by me, as long as I could see that majestic view she’s shown me the very first time we met. The face she was making was very new to me that I was so shocked she could make one. I guess she’s still a human after all.

I looked outside the window, hiding my thinking with a pout, making her think I was still embarrassed.

About which extent of ‘being human’ was she showing? Which smiles she’s showing was really her and which was just made up. It seemed that’s she’s really fond of taking advantage of someone’s mistakes for her amusement. But what was her real goal here?

The silence went on for how longer that I could ever imagine. The town was small but it felt like a ride towards the province. Was it due to the embarrassment I’ve had?

“Ah, we’re near our destination.” –Kyrie-senpai spoke after the deafening silence.

Eh? It’s just 4:10pm?!

The truth was, it had not been hours, nor did even an hour since we’ve take a ride. It was only actually a few minutes ride from school. It felt like we’ve drove on a road uphill which anybody could walk. I guess she wanted to show me a place where she usually hangs out.

The car stopped.

I tried to peak on the other side but Kyrie-senpai was blocking the view from the window like she did not want me to see it immediately.

“Where are we?”

“Oh somewhere not really far from town. Actually the place is still within the vicinity of the town itself so you won’t have to worry.”

“Errr. Are we going to just talk here or outside?”

“Of course, silly junior of mine. Why would I bother drive you here if we could have a heartfelt talk at the clubroom for ourselves.”

“Oh yeah, right… Hehehe.”

The driver went out of the car first and opened the door for me. Even though he’s seen all of ‘that’ earlier, he still treated me like an actual lady. I must’ve thanked him for his act and gentlemanliness but what happened earlier still bothered me. So I just stepped out of the car and bowed down to him.

Afterwards he went to the other side of the door and opened it for Kyrie-senpai to step out. The way they treated me like a VIP and opened the door for me first was really appreciated. I’ve thought about treating Kyrie-senpai a free drink later just to show some gratitude.

The late afternoon cool breeze suddenly blew strongly like winds at an open plains, where the wheats would bend over along its direction.

“KYAH!”

I suddenly let out a girly voice. I held my skirt for it to avoid being blown by the gust and show my underwear towards the people around. Though I haven’t seen anyone around besides Kyrie-senpai, the driver and myself, I still couldn’t take the risk of a stalker or a paparazzi suddenly taking snapshots of my underwear and uploading it everywhere on the internet. I would lose everything if that happens.

That was when I tried to look at the scenery below. From the side of the car where I went out was a cliff, not that high, but a cliff in which you could see a portion of the town. From below you could also see our high school. It was a quick and nice view if one would notice sooner.

“Humu. Perhaps the view is really great here since even you were captivated.”

“Are you kidding me? Anyone would! I don’t even know a place like this exists at our town.”

“Ah, well the view could be one. Sorry to burst your bubble but that’s really just a part of it. My real ‘hideout’ is located here.” –she pointed at something behind her.

“Eh Eh?! There’s some place that has even better view than this one?”

“What are you talking about?”

There was a huge building from behind where Kyrie stood. It seemed abandoned.

Eh? Wha—

Behind her drew an eerie environment: an abandoned building. It looked like a storage one rather than a school or a house or a haunted hospital. It didn’t looked like it was being manifested by ghosts, but rather a venue for shady business.

“Ky-Ky-Kyrie-senpai… Am I going to be cemented?”

“Huh?”

I looked at them. Then they looked at me puzzled.

“P-p-please make it quick and painless.”

I squirmed my body all over. I was afraid and the thought of fighting back can’t even enter my mind. I thought of what I would become after the main event. I’ve seen news about girls becoming missing. Those might be incidents where syndicates were involved and those missing were being sold as slaves on an underground market. But were those events really happening in real life? Weren’t those just fictional and could only be watched on televisions.

“Uhm. Annette? May I ask what are you talking about?”

A group of people bringing me at a deserted and abandoned place would only mean one thing: I’m going to be murdered.

“P-p-please make m death quick. But at least inform my parents that I’m going to be killed.”

I closed my eyes and accepted my fate.

“Uhm… Well then. I’ll be taking my leave young lady. Please do give me a call when you’re finished.”

My eyes were still closed as I heard the closing of the car door and starting of the engine.

I’ll get run over by a car. Would getting hit by a car hurt? I’ve never really tried even once. Wait, do people usually get run over by a car and die? Won’t this be considered murder?

But the sound of the car moving were gradually decreasing. It was going away from my direction. Actually it was already that far away.

“So… How long are you going to expect something there? Are you really hung up with that mafia stuff?”

Eh? Did I messed up again?

I tried to recover from another miserable state, but it was too late already.

“Wha-Wha-What would you mean??? Ex-Expecting something? Hah! As if I would. Wa ha ha!”

I was bright red blushing. I couldn’t see my own embarrassed face but I knew that if ever given a chance to see myself at a mirror I might die with eyes wide open and my soul escaping from my mouth.

“Well sorry for making you have the wrong idea. To give you a summary of what’s happening, I’ve done this to every member of the club. For the record I’ve established the club with me as the initial member. It was a long story, but I could spare you the story telling for later. For now, I’ll take you to a quick tour at my playground.”

“Uwaah—” –I was disappointed by the last sentence and did a facepalm. Was I actually waiting for something bad to happen to me?

“At least pretend that you’re going to torture me even for a little.” –I murmured my disappointment as I follow her.

Well… I-i-i-it’s not like I w-w-was expecting or something…

“Well the place looked trash outside but looks nice inside. Come, I’ve got snacks.”

“Hmp!”

---

I followed her, but not because I was bribed by snacks like a kid after playtime. Actually, a part of it was due to that to be honest. I was still a growing teen after all and needed food to live. I’ve come this far. And after assuring my security and safeness on this short trip, I decided to fully accompany Kyrie-senpai. She and Kiryuu-senpai worked on this to happen so I should just be grateful.

What is she going to discuss with me anyways?

There was a mini man-made playground near the entrance to the woods. There were swings, slides, see-saw, blocks, sandbar, some roller stuff and fences. It might be just arranged by some kids who initially played house on the area, or Kyrie-senpai must have asked her personal butlers to arrange it like that. I stopped thinking about it and continued to follow her.

“What, you’re interested? Don’t worry I’ll let you play there later.”

“Really?! YAAY!!”

“…”

“…”

????

“LIKE HELL I AM!!”

“Fu fu fu. No need to hide it. I’ll know all of your secrets too in no time though.”

“THAT’S BREACH OF PRIVACY!”

We finally entered the building. It’s not large enough to be compared to store rooms of a huge factory, but at an estimation, I could say you could part at least two mixer trucks on it. It felt more like a storage house of a rich family.

Oh Kyrie-senpai is rich anyways.

I looked around and what awaited inside was a plain…

“Old… Abandoned… Building…”

I looked around. There was a steel stair which led to a rusted railing up ahead. There’s a narrow platform attached on the wall connected to the stairs where people could walk around and examine what’s happening down. It was like a school gym, but actually a manufacturing building. Due to the building being old and abandoned, nobody would even bother try to maintain it. The walls were tattered and the roof was full of holes, allowing light to pass through and illuminate separate parts of the place.

It was late afternoon already and the sun was about to set, so it was quite dim already inside. Yet, opening the door still let some light pass through so it’s not like we need to feel the switch of the lights in case there it was still working.

The available space inside is wide. At the middle there’s a single old upholstered steel chair which were quite rusty. The thought of being tortured entered my mind again and got another goosebumps.

“The—a chair—The—a chair?”

“Humu. I won’t, okay? I’ve told you countless of times already. Unless you’re really asking for it.”

SWITCH!

It was a sound of a lever. As my eyes wandered inside a ray of light suddenly shone from my right side. It took few more seconds for my eyes to adjust and I saw a small cube cottage-like structure inside at the corner right side of the whole building. The light source was coming from there.

I placed my hand at the front of my face to form a shade to protect my eyes.

“It’s bright!”

“Ah, my bad for suddenly switching it on.”

I hurriedly skipped towards Kyrie-senpai standing at the front of the mini shelter’s door in which the focus of the light couldn’t be found.

“Well, we could stay here if you want but I really suggest the view of the sunset outside.”

“Ah, yeah. I guess that’s better. But why show this to me if we’ll be talking outside?”

The small room was comparable to a treehouse for Kyrie-senpai if I were to say. Anyone would like a place or a resthouse far from where she originally lives, so if in case there were time she would like to be alone, she would have a place to run to. May it be family problems or just a simple soul-searching.

Still…

“But what would be the point of showing me this. Will we have an overnight stay? Like a pajama party?”

“Humu. You never really stop betraying my expectations...”

“YAY A PAJAMA PAR—”

“…For being stupid.”

I pouted. I never really expected that I’d be, again, branded as the stupid girl at my senpai’s eyes. Each and every time I’m straying farther away from being an average among the normal-grade students at my current year, while being closer and closer to being an idiot of a henchmen.

“…But then again, why?”

“Ah that’s because I need somebody else to do the labor for me.”

“Huuuh?! And why would I do that??!”

“Because I’m the senior and the club president. And you’re just a stupid henchmen.”

“Okay. What to do?”

---

Pant… Pant… Pant…

It went to be a late afternoon workout that spanned for almost an hour or two. We were supposed to be a ‘do nothing or go home squad’ but what happened was I was extorted to do unpaid labor. And it was not just an ordinary one. It really was muscle workout.

“Phew! Finished at last.”

I wiped the sweat from my forehead. It was just about time to stare on the majestic sunset too. The cliff was actually a great place for sunset viewing, and in my opinion, to build in a tourist park too.

“So. You really didn’t even tried to exert even a tiny bit of effort?”

“Humu. Perfect timing. You did a good setup too. In my opinion hard labor would be better done by you. Also I’ve done my part on setting up my tea.”

POUR…

Kyrie-senpai was holding a teapot. She poured a freshly brewed tea at her teacup and smelled the aroma coming from it.

Sigh…

I was called on this one very important event on Kyrie-senpai’s daily life to help her set up a tea-time table set and couch for one. She did not even lift a finger for hard labor except for the tea set which she casually just casually setup in a span of a minute. Not even half of the time I spent carrying heavy furniture.

“Kyrie-senpai, I’ll be blaming you if I won’t be able to go to school this Monday due to some sickness.”

“Humu. You’re a growing teen and you need some workout. It should be fine. Sore muscles eventually heal.”

As if it’s that easy!!

I’ve experienced it before after having a tiring P.E. activity. The crippling pain I’ve experienced was even worse than having a scrape on the knee. It was certain that I’m going to experience muscle pain again once I’ve lifted an almost 20kg of a table and a couch, each. But the question was how long would I experience it. Either I force myself to attend classes the next Monday or I’d notify the teachers that I couldn’t lift a finger because a certain pushy senpai forced me to.

“This will be on you, if I die on muscle pain. I’m telling you this. Hmp!”

I walked towards the man-made swing nearby where I setup her table for sunset viewing and teatime. It was quite a scenic large tire exterior hanged with a thick rope that was tied at a huge tree branch which could support even up to 4 people’s weight.

“Let’s see… This is quite an old swing. HUMPH!”

I lifted myself and got my body inside the whole tire like it was some kind of pool’s rental water floats and put force on my butt to fully make it swing. It was sure damn heavy. Or was I just truly exhausted?

I swung hard, and harder, and harder, up to the point that the swing could almost do a 180 curve from back and forth swinging.

Sip.

“You surely love the swing. Careful I did not know how long had it been there. You really think I was the one who arranged that too?”

SCREEEECH!!

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!!”

“And why would I be the one out of my mind? There you are swinging at an old swing like a five year old kid.”

“NO!! WHY WOULD YOU SUDDENLY DECIDE TO SHATTER SOMEONE’S HAPPY PLAYTIME WITH A HAZARD WARNING?!”

I was yelling not because I was trying to defend my side of the story. I was defending myself because of the adrenaline that suddenly swirled up from within me. It nearly gave me heart attack. I was swinging an old swing in full force then would suddenly get interrupted by a similar ‘you’d die if you continue that’ statement.

The cliff was just a few several meters. Who knows what might happen to me if I continued to swing with full force and the rope suddenly snaps and I got thrown into oblivion?

My heart was racing. I did not get a confession but it was comparable to that.

“Ah yeah, sorry my bad. It’s quite old but it’s still sturdy. Just continue to swing all you want.”

“HRRRRNNNGG!!”

That really killed the mood. I didn’t felt like swinging anymore, but to not infect her with my anger and disappointment, I continued to do light swings, now assured that the rope won’t betray me.

I was the one to initiate the talk. I didn’t want to prolong it any longer since my pride and mental health was being degraded into one of just a mere stupid assistant.

“Well, I think we should start talking.”

“Humu…”

“Why bring me here, just to have a club initiation talk. Just one on one.”

“Why indeed?”

Those were the parts Kyrie-senpai would start talking riddles or play word games with me. I did not let my guard down, but she was cleverer.

“Well I don’t just casually ask anyone to accompany me on my personal activities. You’re now a club member so… Ah yes, consider it a privilege. SIIIIP.”

“Say… How much tea do you usually drink per day?”

“Fufufu. I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

I looked at her as she blissfully enjoyed her tea. The sun was setting.

I guess there were people who really enjoys doing stuff like these while just looking at the sunset.

The orange afterglow that was produced by the sunset at the desolate area we’re currently just letting the time pass by were truly calming. No wonder why she’s chosen the place as her secret hideout and do stuff like these every once in a while.

I really ended up saying nothing after that. I was the one that initiated the talk, but also the one who couldn’t keep up. She seemed trying to measure how much I figured out about her purpose of invitation. She spoke after assessing I couldn’t

“You see. I did a little background check on you.”

“Wha!!—”

That was supposedly breach of privacy, but…

“Oh don’t get me wrong. What I mean is a little background check on how you usually do at class.”

Phew… so that’s what it was.

Me being a loner at class was not really something I could hide. Besides it was a truth, it was well-known by everybody too. It is not a breach of privacy if what she did was to just ask somebody from my class and have someone tell her what they usually see.

To see is to believe, so I thought Kyrie-senpai wouldn’t just believe groundless words while not actually seeing it. I haven’t seen her gone to my class. If I were to guess, we might have missed each other out.

Or…

“Hooooh. Don’t tell me you’ve climbed a high tree with your binoculars just to scout my current state in the class.”

Heh! Silly idea. I knew she can’t. I knew she won’t.

Unless…

SIIIIIP

“Eh… seriously?”

I failed to remember that it was Kyrie-senpai. She’s the almost ‘can do everything ‘cause I’m a genius’ senior at our school: a one in a million prodigy that comes once every ten or hundred years.

“I have lots of ways to. Even without climbing a tree, I can spot you even from a mile away.”

“Now I’m even more worried you’re actually a sniper from assassination squadron x.”

“Well I could. But the recoil would be so strong that it could shatter my bones. I might be strong but there’s still a limit to this human body.”

“Ah now you’re talking as if you’re some sort of a possessing spirit.”

“So much for that.”

“Well I admit I was a loner at the class. But hey, I’m starting to make some friends. It won’t be that much long and I won't be a loner anymore. I’ve done it before. It’s not like I didn’t made any friends back at grade school and middle school. You just don’t know how popular I am. Well I’m not bragging but—”

“Is what you would think. But is that what’s really happening?”

Eh?

“That’s rude. Are you saying that I can’t do it?!”

I snapped. A part of it was only because it was a rude way to say it to me. But most of it was because Kyrie-senpai was seeing something I couldn’t. But was it a big deal? It’s just a matter of having some ‘friends’ at class you casually talk to, just so you wouldn’t be alone. It had always been like that for me.

When I was at grade school, up till my middle school years. There’s always been these friends that I hang out and talk to, just not to be left out and be the ‘loner’ which was always being teased by the whole class.

She took another sip while smiling. She was surely implying something.

Am I wrong this whole time?

I faced the ground. The swing moving slowly back and forth and my focus were relatively moving that it’s making me dizzy. But I paid no mind. I needed to clear out my mind and knew for sure if everything that I’ve been doing from the start was wrong.

Did I really need friends because of a silly reason of wanting to just be in the loop?

“—is what you’re thinking.”

I came back to my senses after hearing the last words Kyrie-senpai said.

“Annette-chan I really think you’ve had your definition of ‘friendship’ misaligned the whole time. Don’t take the word too lightly.”

“Bu-but. I just needed to do the very same thing I’ve been doing ever since. Nothing’s went wrong so far! I’ve made friends!”

I was so agitated, and at the same time I was trying to prove that my way of making friendship is better than hers.

“Doing the same thing is different than doing what you really want. Showing others your true self is what I mean.”

I heard a long sip after wards, then the sound of ceramic hitting each other.

“Oh don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to force anything to you.”

Is this why she called me here? To discuss with me what I would really like to do?

“I-if that’s so… Then are you also saying that I only joined the club for the same thing?”

“That’s why I’ve said the latter. Have you forgotten already? Sigh… Okay, let me repeat this for you. Doing the same thing is different than doing what you really want. It was one of the reasons why I’ve invited you here too. I need confirmations. I won’t just base every decision I make on guesses. What I need are facts.”

“Bu-but… even if I say it’s the contrary, would you believe me?”

“I only put my trust on a person once. Well maybe if someone who lost my trust managed to change and prove it to me I guess I would give a chance.”

“I… I’m…”

I was really conflicted. The topic struck me seriously that my thought processing had been derailed. I couldn’t trace back my time spent with them for the past week. What have I been doing? Was I trying to do to them what I just realized as something absolutely ‘wrong’. Was I just using them for my convenience the whole time? I could not remember which happened first: me deciding to make friends with the class, or me being a member of Kyrie-senpai’s club.

It was never really too late to admit everything and turn back if that’s the case.

“Did I really wandered around the club room that time because I was trying to seek shelter from being alone?”

“Sigh… Perhaps what you needed is a push to realize what you need to realize. I’ll do you a favor and say this. Well I think the way you’re just acting normally.”

“The—then… What’s normally and what’s not? I don’t know anymore.”

I never got worked up so much before. That was probably the very first time realization hit me so hard that I can’t properly speak. I just gradually apply force on my feet to further continue the movement of the swing, but it was just instinctual movement and what’s really happening was I was busy recollecting myself.

---

Slide.

“Good afternoon. Senpais.”

A girl entered the room with a sliding door. It was me. I was a newly accepted member of the ‘do nothing or go home squad’ which was being led by Kyrie-senpai.

“Osu~~ Annette. You surely took your time for a new member.”

“Wha—But…”

“Hey! Don’t pick on the new member too much. You know what will happen if the new member suddenly doesn’t come anymore, right?”

The two girls were Suzuha-senpai and Amane-senpai. They were two happy-go-lucky character senpais who always assured that the club was always noisy and happy because who knows what might happen if they were not in the club? A spiraling silence might emanate throughout the room.

“Oof. Sorry Sorry! My bad, my bad. Hehehe! Well I can’t help it. I can’t help picking on the weak! HA HA HA!”

THUD!!

And she was hit by a rolled notebook at the head, by none other than Shiryu-senpai, who had always been the strict (but not really) one.

“Awawa~~ That hurts! It surely hurts.”

“Hey! Why are you the one aching when I was actually the one who got hurt?”

The club’s meat tank Moemi-senpai was crying as she felt the pain that was supposed to be Suzuha-senpai’s. I couldn’t blame her. Seeing the critical hit land on Suzuha-senpai hurt me too.

“Siiiigh…”

I just walked towards a free spot, dropped my bag, and took a sit. I watched them argue over something so trivial. But somehow the look on their faces didn’t tell me that it wasn’t an argument could cause them to break their friendship. In fact, they looked happier rather than irritated.

---

“So that was it…”

“Humu… Sure took you long, but it was worth a shot.”

The fact that I realized I was envious at them made tears well up from me. That moment I must have realized that I felt something different. Different from the ‘friendship’ I was supposed to know.

“I thought I was just curious at first…”

“A part of this discussion was for your realization. It’s okay to be envious, especially when you saw something fun and you wanted to be in too. That’s what have made you stay at the club even for a short week, right? It’s fine to be like that. At least you’re realizing there’s more into you than you already know.”

Again, Kyrie-senpai talked mysteriously right on the mark. As a person I’ve always took note that there’s always room for growth. But growth was not as easy as I could just force myself to learn every single thing there is for me. But most of the time a human grows, was due to a trigger event, in which at times being triggered by somebody else.

“But still…”

“I see you still have too many doubts. Okay. Let me tell you a story of your senpais.”

“…”

It was her turn to tell a story. It seemed like she’s trying her best to be a good example and help me decide what I really wanted to do. It was the hardest of times for me so I wouldn’t mind a helping hand. I attentively paid attention to her story.

“Did you really thought me and your senpais at the club were best of friends right off the bat?”

“…”

I responded with a silenced look of curiosity. She understood it and continued.

“Beauty, majesty, brains, money… Everything… No… almost everything. I’ve had almost everything a normal girl would want. I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for having them. It’s not my intention to brag what I have but there were times that I couldn’t avoid having them shown to others. It could really be unpleasant at times. What do you think?”

“I… I don’t see anything particularly wrong about that.”

“What you are being always shown to is only an outer shell. What you strive to truly see is what’s inside. Not every person like me is always surrounded by people who were nice. You know what I mean already. With me being like that, I had always been being surrounded by people whom I needed to live within their expectations so that they would always stay by my side. I’ve been living each… each and every day being surrounded by people who ‘just’ wanted to be by my side. For whatever reason I don’t even want to know. I tried to mask what I show them, but I got fed up.

One day I ended wanting to have some free time with myself. That’s how I ended up on our current clubroom. Then there came Shiryu. At first I thought: ‘ah, another someone of the same species’. But well she proved me wrong. Actually she was just like me, just a bit lower in status. Then came Suzuha and Amane, then eventually Moemi too.

They were really a rowdy bunch at first. I was annoyed. But they just continued to bother me even though I kept telling them to get lost already. But they just wanted to have fun with friends, no other motives. At least what they were showing is real. There on I realized that people who can still stay true to themselves even when surrounded by overwhelming presences exists: like me. I’ve had a hard time in controlling them and how they act. Eventually, it wore me down so I just stopped, like, just come what may. Why would I need to? It doesn’t bring any harm. It should be fine.

Catch is, I see my old self in you.”

“Me?”

“Shush whoever might be here besides the two of us.”

“Are you… Are you trying to say this to me just to make me feel better?”

“I have no slightest intent of doing that.”

It felt like it was a very long story, but actually Kyrie-senpai kept it short and brief, enough for me to take a grasp on the situation she had. She used herself as an example because she’s seen similarities in our circumstances.

“Now I’m really grateful after receiving a life coaching from you. Just kidding…”

I tried to lift the heavy atmosphere with a half-assed thanks which she should take as a joke more than a serious one. That’s the very least I could do. I’ve cooled down and was now thinking straight.

“I’ve been hanging out here even before establishing the club, and I could also say that this place is also our second clubroom. Of course I’ve had a one-on one talk with your senpais too.”

“So it was not just only me, huh.”

I felt relieved. I was not a special case.

“Each and every one of them had particular issues. For their privacy I’ll keep my lips sealed. You could try to progress with them just to know if you’re curious. It should just feel like playing an eroge* or something. You may try each route and win them over. Who knows what you might experience?”

“NO!”

“Humu. It seems that you’re back on track already. But the traces of emotion on your face shows you’re still undecided.”

“YOU AN ESPER OR SOMETHING?!!”

I did not noticed it was already evening. Kyrie-senpai finally placed the cup of tea at the platter after she took a final sip and enjoyed the sun finally setting down the horizon. I lifted my head and looked up for the very first time after we started talking. I looked upwards. The purple lining formed by the dark night sky which slowly crept towards the horizon was truly majestic.

Truly majestic.

“Like you…”

“Say what?”

“Majestic, like you…”

Somehow I’ve realized something. From there on I knew what I should do.

“Thanks, Kyrie-senpai. But I’m still not confident now that realization hit me.”

“It’s fine. Would you take your time to be able to handle yourself? Or would you rather have accompany you on your journey?”

“I think I’d pick the latter.”

Then I gave smirk. I’ve had so much on my mind ever since talking with Kyrie-senpai. It was like a bomb that was suddenly dropped to a busy supermarket. Of course everything will be thrown into chaos. Just like a disorder, with a certain group of people to handle the situation. I also entrusted everything to Kyrie-senpai and to my other senpais at the club too.

For now, at least.

“Well for now, at least. But remember, this would be our last year. After this you’ll be alone by yourself. Will you be fine by that time already?”

“Ah!”

I just realized the very crucial and most important thing. They were all seniors and were graduating.it would be a matter of time before I ended up being alone again. That time I had just hit rock bottom and was about to start again with the proper approach on how to be friends and how to deal with others.

So rather than immediately getting tested whether I could already handle myself or not, I would rather take it slowly but surely.

“Awawawa.”

I wailed at Kyrie-senpai like a kid who’s suddenly realized there’s no classes and won’t get time to spend playing with friends.

“Fufufu! Okay then.”

Kyrie-senpai stood up. She skipped and hopped at the set of wheels laid at the mini playground. She raced towards the dark purple night sky that was eating away the very last of light by the very little sun getting buried at the horizon.

Slowly

slowly

and slowly.

Time turned so slowly that it felt like watching an ultra-high definition movie on a super fast pc that could render it on slow-motion. The lights flickered and turned on one by one life it was following her as she skipped. I never knew they were still fully functioning until they lit up. It should be a must if Kyrie-senpai have set her secret base at the small location we’re in. The dimming of the environment wa suddenly halted by these lights while it also created a glittering effect which even emphasized the small but not really little senpai that’s playfully skipping in front of me.

It was not a thing that she’s usually shown others. My senpais must have seen this side of her too, if they had also been here besides me. But that’s okay. Because at that moment, I’ve seen a side of Kyrie-senpai that’s real and not a mask that she forcefully puts up.

She looked back at me and said,

“Humu. If that’s what’s bothering you, then I’ll—no. We’ll make a year full of real memories you won’t ever forget. That might help you find who you really are and what you really want to do. Are you fine with that?”

But are you really fine with spending a whole year just for me?

Is what I liked to ask her, after all she’s done, it would be rude to still show uncertainty.

“You might be thinking stuff like ‘are you really fine spending a whole year just for me’ or something but it why thought? It should not hurt, for you are a member of the club. From now on you’re one of us.”

“Kyrie-senpai…”

“Humu. From now on you’ll be mine.”

“Uwaaah~~ way to kill the mood.”

That moment besides the realization I had, there’s another thing that I realized.

It was the thing that had a great impact as to who I am at the present.

I’ve read about it on some fictional romance books and shoujo mangas. Those were the topics about liking somebody. The feeling that would always keep you thinking about a certain person; would make your heart skip a beat whenever she’s near; would make your chest hurt like being pierced if you see her being giddy-giddy with another.

That moment was inscribed onto me and would never be forgotten. That should be the very moment I got infatuated to Kyrie-senpai.