Symbiosis

The following event takes place May 16th at 6:30 P.M.

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The sunset gleam showered the small town of Hikarizaka with its momentous beauty of the color it bestowed as the wondrous shimmer signaled the time for the inhabitants of the private high school to get started on heading home to where they all belong. The day for them had ended sometime ago but school activities called to them and other daily routines of their lives. Though only a few selected stayed behind on selected afternoons to clean the classrooms and to make sure things were in orderly fashion. The desks had to be pushed back into their own section and the chairs had to be right where they belonged on the desks - upside down and connecting their curves - to save more room. The erasers had to be disposed of any left over chalk that haunted its black surface and the floor and windows had to be perfectly clean without any spots for tomorrow. This duty was left to students of the teachers choice and class 1 - B had only two selected for their amount of time.

Kazue Masumi was but one of them. She had just finished pushing the last desk into its orderly position and resumed with placing the chair that went along with the desk on top in the position that was instructed to her before the teacher had made her leave. The girl could not oblige to this duty as she has not done it before and needed to in order to grant the other students who have been always picked for this duty some slack. She turned her head to stare out at the window and look at the view of the courtyard outside as the sunset did provide a rather shimmering view. It was rather soothing and relaxing for her. Though she blinked, her blue colored irises showing no sign of exhaustion and grabbed the broom and began to follow Densetsu Karu to their destination. She was beginning to wonder why Densetsu was not saying a word. Then again neither did she. Most students spoke so much and tried to strike up a conversation, but he wasn't. She never found herself comfortable talking to others since she was so closed off.

Kazue stole gazes at Densetsu time and time again wondering what he was like. In all the time the two were in class not one word was spoken between them. She had never rarely heard his voice either so it was a rather interesting subject for the blond to ponder about for a moment as she began drifting off into her state of mind, flipping through the pages. She then spoke after a while of drifting into the world of her own thoughts her voice soft and an average pitch as she tried her best to keep up with the fellow classmate.

"Interesting how long that went about."

Kazue then looked at Densetsu as she said that to herself to avoid any awkward tension between the two. She often heard of him in different forms and shapes of words and language spoken. Others say that he is intimidating while others just think of him in a rather average manner. She never understood why the choice of word was 'bitter' at points in time of the day. She could not comprehend why the word of choice bothered her so much whenever someone spoke that way about him either. It often gave her a feeling of warning though she would always push that away. She often even asked herself what seemed bitter about Densetsu Karu? He seemed just alright to her the way he looked, walked, and went about his daily routine. She then realized that she had slowed down in her steps and brought her head down. Kazue began scolding herself for many reasons as to why she even let herself drift off into such a situation.

What if he had caught her?

[Densetsu Karu]

Another week had finally passed by. Founder's Festival had been a tedious addition to his hours at school during this week, but it was over. There would be a few classes in the morning tomorrow, but other than that he was free... which would mark his total and complete despair for yet another week. Alone, at home, his thoughts wandered, they were busy with dark corners, they became evil, they stabbed his heart. He could not properly concentrate on specific tasks. The weekend marked his time in a form of hell.

For this reason, school had indeed its ups, despite how much he hated going. It kept him distracted by other people and classes and whatnot. Even if his thoughts still wavered into hellish territory, he did his best to concentrate on the things around him, and it usually brought him to the present. It was also another source of confusion for him-- while being distracted kept him from his mental self-torture, it also felt like a waste of time. Karu felt he could be doing so much more in life... and yet, there was nothing he could do.

Karu and one other, Masumi Kazue, were delivering some supplies to class 2-B. He had seen Masumi around before, especially during that ridiculous Haunted House booth their class was setting up for Founder's Festival. They were both silent, as though undertaking an unspoken agreement to complete their delivery and go their separate ways. In a way, he appreciated her silence; she was not the kind of person to endlessly drag on an awkward conversation for the sake of acquaintanceship.

After they had dropped off the supplies, he made for the door, again without speaking a word. However, upon attempting to slide the door to the side and leave, it simply stopped. He put a little force into it, tried it a little slower, but neither of these methods accomplished his goal. Frustrated, he tried the other door, but it brought about the same problem-- it was jammed. They were stuck in here! How could this happen? What were the chances both doors would be jammed? Had somebody done it on purpose? Karu felt a rise of panic, but he resisted it.

"Well, it seems," he said in a slow, even tone, not trusting his own voice, "we are stuck in here." The silence was finally broken with ill tidings.

Kazue managed to place the supplies they had borrowed into their respective areas as neatly as she could. The sunset still kept up its own usual glow and Kazue found that more comforting as she could not wait to retreat home and rest her soul from the tiresome week. She could catch up on the book she had brought with her and enjoy her weekend. Well at least until Monday made its way back onto the daily schedule. Kazue was about to grab her bag until she heard the abrupt sound coming from the doorway. The rattling persisted and she froze in place as Densetsu tried to pry open the door. She was fearing the worst and fearing the situation that would occur if the hypothesis that she was concurring became true. The girl straightened her back and watched as she was pushing away the tension as the classmate in front of her halted.

"Well, it seems," he said in a slow, even tone that had made Kazue's ears shift slightly, as if he didn't even trust himself - at least it seemed that way to Kazue. "We are stuck in here."

Just as she hypothesized, the two were stuck in here and not meant to get out from this situation. Kazue then nodded her head at the boy and decided to try it for herself. She wrapped her fingers around the handle and pulled but the shaking door did not seize to open for her. She tried it again but with no luck coming her way. What could this unfortunate situation be telling her? If word ever so once gets out that the two were alone in a classroom things would not be looking well. She then tried once more and nothing came in her favor. She then turned to Densetsu and nodded her head in resolution.

The girl managed to notice that when she tugged at the door she did feel a slight shake coming from inside of the middle between the doors. She could not make it out of course since the object for their dismay is not able to be seen in their favor.

"We're definitely locked in here. Something's jamming the door and is not allowing both to open obviously. It seems to be stuck in between."

Then laughter emitted from the other side which caused the two student freshman to jump slightly at the surprise noise they received. The group of laughter seemed rather obnoxious and rather sinister. Upperclassman awaited outside as a rather tall figure stepped forward right in front of the very door he jammed for the two. He hollered so that the two could hear, his fellow Junior gang laughing with amusement. "No thanks to us." the young man replied. Kazue looked quickly at Densetsu before back at the doorway, now well aware of what caused them to be locked in here. "We sincerely hope you have fun in there you two!" another member shouted as they began to walk away their footsteps soon dying out into nothing along with their voices. They seemed rather proud of themselves to trick underclassman and pull this prank on them. Especially since it was the last day before the weekend.

"... Great."

Kazue softly grunted out before turning away from the door and sighing softly as she held her head with a crease in her brow. She often knew of upperclassmen doing this to freshman but she never imagined herself getting into one of these situations herself. She was stuck in here with a boy no less and she was worried that the two would not be able to get out. At least until Monday occurred. She turned to Densetsu and bowed her head with simple movement. She was hoping she would understand her sympathy for him with the form of apology she was showing to him as she can't communicate with others well.

[Densetsu Karu]

It was as if this school had cursed him. It had been nonstop, and unwanted, "adventure" since Day One. Dating, machines, festivals, food... and now this! What were the chances? He was locked in a classroom, simply because some idiots decided to pull a prank. Not only that, but he was trapped with a stranger. This made things all the more complicated. She was an unfamiliar variable in this equation.

He faintly played with the thought that she planned this situation, but there was no reason for her to do that. A slight, sympathetic nod of her head, directed towards him, confirmed that she was just as much a victim as he was. It really was... coincidence. Or possibly a cruel god has been following him, ensuring him unlucky, terrible events. A cruel god... the source of his bad luck... why was he drifting into these thoughts at a time like this? It was a crisis, wasn't it? Shouldn't he be doing something?

Was it possible to unjam it somehow? With force? Wouldn't that risk damaging the door? It would have to be a last resort. What about the window? No, there was no way to get down from here... He surveyed the room, studying the available tools at his disposal. Desks... a table... nothing was really useable here. Damn it.

"Well," he began, staring into her eyes with a searching gaze. His eyes traced over her; he was studying her. He took in her small figure (which was so very common here, but unusual to him since he had lived most of his life in a place with a taller standard), her oddly-out-of-place blond hair, that deep look on her face of understanding and comprehension. That look, that expression. That understanding in her eyes. It reminded him of... himself? Why did he see something so familiar in the face of a stranger? He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Finally, he continued.

"What do you propose we do, Masumi-san?" he said, circling around her, his eyes on her the whole time. It was an odd gesture, and rather spontaneous. Admittedly he was only attempting to break the ice between them so they could more properly work together. When he stopped, his mind started to play through possible solutions. His eyes did not leave her once.

The sunset shimmers of the outside world began to slowly disappear as the sun began to descend. The time was nearing the brim of night and the orange color decorating the sky was slowly fading away. Time of night was nearing and one could care less if they were at home. In this position though two cared a lot more than the rest of the world could right now. In the predicament the two seemed to be in of course they would care beyond necessary. Kazue had never experienced a situation such as this before much less a problem that even coordinated with this situation. All because some upperclassmen decided to pull a prank on the two for their own amusement they were stuck here. It was hard enough for the young freshman to communicate with others much less try and express her opinion.

Was it possible to unjam the small object that prevented their escape? Her arm was to big for the small secluded space. The windows seemed like an unlikely escape route either since the drop could indeed hurt them in some way. She calculated the route being too far down. Her blue colored eyes scanned the room as she looked about before frowning slightly.

Nothing.

Kazue was brought back into reality her eyes widening slightly before relaxing herself to only hear Densetsu's voice. She stood there as she studied him with a feeling in her body as if he was staring right through her, as if he was reading her very soul and the important book of context that described her. The strong gaze in his eyes and the ever lasting look that described him reminded her of herself. It was a strange conclusion to one hypothesis but she decided to end it there. The way his hair framed his face seemed rather perfect and his movements were gently put together in a smooth rhythm. It was strange how he circled around her in his everlasting motion as he asked his proposition.

"What do you propose we do, Masumi-san?"

Kazue felt her heart stop slightly at the sudden question as he circled around her. A normal average female would have been wary of this action, but she somehow understood that it wasn't on purpose or of any intention. It was strange but she just felt normal. Kazue was accustomed to weird notions and customs of others. Kazue then began to think as her head tilted down slightly. What could they do to escape this problem? Any solution that she had thought of seemed impossible to her. The tables and chairs served no purpose and the drop from the windows seemed impossible. She couldn't try and unjam the object in the doorway for her arms was too big to even fit. Finally she sighed and stared in Densetsu's eyes.

"I'm... sorry. I... I don't know. The windows have such a high drop... and my arm is too small to get the object. I..."

She couldn't figure out what to say anymore. Kazue felt guilt wash over here for Densetsu being dragged into this situation.

[Densetsu Karu]

"This feels like a mirror."

It was a side-tracked observation. It was said to nobody in particular. If asked later about it, he probably wouldn't remember the statement. His voice was on auto-pilot. It conveyed the thoughts he couldn't consciously put into words.

Karu approached the window. The sun was slowly, but surely, making its way across the sky. He was trapped in here, like a caged animal. He wanted to fly, through the window, across the sky. His hands, seemingly of their own accord, opened the window, releasing a clear breeze into the room. "Shall I add leaping from windows to my repertoire of firsts at this school?"

He regarded Masumi. Small, quiet, delicate, wary... no, there was exceptionally special she could do that would fix this problem. In other words, she was extra baggage to consider. If he had been alone, he could call for more drastic actions of escape with having to worry for the consequences. But here, he had Masumi to consider.

"We could scream for help. Not sure who'd hear us, though," he suggested. Then again, I'd rather not shout at the top of my lungs, he mentally backpedaled. I don't even care what happens here. She's likely the only one concerned. Oh, right. She probably has a family to get back to. A spark of envy rushed down his spine.

Karu slumped into one of the classroom chairs. "I give up. Let's just stay here overnight." He was mostly joking, but he said it sincerely enough to sound like he meant it.

He was bored and unsure of what to do. It was unfair of him to put the responsibility on Masumi like that, by being so unhelpful. At the moment, he didn't care. All he could do was joke. His motivation for the day had run dry.

Kazue did not break her gaze from Karu as he had made his observation. The way he just sounded and moved wasn't the least bit weird to her. What he had said though had really started to get the freshman thinking.

"This feels like a mirror."


A mirror... That was the description she was looking for. The two seemed to reflect each other in a way that seemed interesting to her in such a rather amazing way. It really did feel as if Kazue was waking up in the morning and catching just a small quick glimpse of herself in the mirror. It was a very odd and weird comparison - especially at a time such as this. A cool breeze then reached her body and her attention turned to the window that was opened by Densetsu. It was an action that only slightly caught her attention but aroused many questions that seemed to grace her subconscious. What exactly was he trying to do? In the position he was in it would be wrong to assume of him going to jump out the window and leave her behind, but she had only sighed quietly and crossed her arms to try and ponder of what to do in this situation.

There was nothing exceptional she could really do. Kazue wasn't strong like Densetsu - at least that is what she believed - and the jump from the window was too high. He certainly was a brave one and she would definitely give him credit for the fact if that was his intention. His voice then had brought her back into reality and she looked upon his figure as he spoke. "We could scream for help. Not sure who'd hear us, though," he suggested.

Kazue had nodded once at that suggestion. No one seemed to be outside and all of the windows were closed off therefore not one person would be able to hear them. Kazue's mother would be at work while her father would be frantic with worry. It was a rather weird thought in her mind since her mother would work and her father had stayed home. But, this situation was beside the point. She had then heard the squeal of a chair and Kazue turned her mind back into reality.

It was now becoming quite a bad habit of hers now drifting off into thought.

Karu had been slumped into one of the classroom chairs getting into a comfortable position that a male would find. "I give up. Let's just stay here overnight." Kazue was not sure how to take this. She knew that it wasn't anything bad or intentional when he had said that because he clearly could have tried something by now. Kazue could only stare at Densetsu and walk towards the window wrapping her fingers around the ledge as she felt the soft breeze run by in the wind that helped carry it. The responsibility seemed to be on her now.

She needed to try her best to at least get the two out of here. Her motivation was slowly slipping away from her heart and she needed to at least try to think of an idea quite quickly since the sun was already disappearing behind a building in the distance. This was not a good sign as almost the whole school is almost empty at this time. The blond had wanted to try and scream but that option was unavailable. No one would hear them now at this time. She did consider the action of getting one to climb out of the window as the other held their hands so that the drop would be less dangerous for the other. Then they could go and find the help or catch the other if the drop did not injure them. Kazue had considered these both options. If there was also rope or a small line of sort then they could slowly slide down but the problem would be trying to wrap the thread or feature around the window or something sturdy.

The wind then decided to gust into Kazue's face which only pushed the blond away from the window and to squint her eyes as she was not aware of the gust blowing her clothing rather strongly as well. She did not care but it did consider a certain plan she had. Kazue then pushed her skirt down to the proper position and started to brush the dust off her jacket.

"Random winds. Hate them. But, Densetsu-san, is there anything you would like to propose?" she had said turning to look at Densetsu.

[Densetsu Karu]

Pah, if this continued at this present course, nothing would be done. Neither of them had an idea in mind, so it had become the repeated process of looking around and asking each other the same stupid question. How pathetic.

"Idiot..." he muttered. It could have been directed at any of them, or no one. There was no way to tell.

"Alright then, there is only one thing we can do," he said, returning to the window once more. He looked over the edge, taking in a sharp intake of breath-- the ground was too far for comfort. "Looks like some people are going to fall out a window today."

After the words escaped his lips, the reality of the notion hit him. They were two stories up; a fall like that could invoke an injury. Was there a way to somehow lessen the fall? Like before, but for different intent, he glanced about the room for such an object, but nothing stood out.

Who should go? He'd rather avoid the pain or fear accompanied with such a fall, but really, the facts were stacked up against him. Ignoring the fact that she seemed too fragile for the fall to the ground, it was the gentleman thing to do to catch her. Meaning he would have to be on the ground first. Meaning he would have to fall out a window.

"I'll go," he said. "I believe you can help lower me a bit to lessen the length of the fall. So... are you able to do this?" The whole time he had spoken, he was still watching the ground below. Now, he stared into her eyes. What would she do, or say? What did she think?

Kazue felt a frown line her lips as she heard Densetsu mutter to himself. She had felt rather bad for not saying a word to him about the suggestions, yet she had wanted to hear what he had to say first. It was a shame honestly that she had not spoken to him so freely all this time yet at such a time like this it was the only time the two were communicating and probably the last considering how this was turning out for them. The sun seemed to have been completely fading away beyond the horizon and the wind had died down to almost a cold atmosphere where very little wind graced upon the land. Her ears seemed to activate back into reality after that rather quick thought process Kazue had before tilting her head down slightly as if she was nervous and shifted her eyes to Densetsu in order to somehow show she was paying attention.

"Alright then, there is only one thing we can do," he had said which only caused the female to shift her eyesight - following Densetsu's every gesture as he leaned over the window with his eyes seeming to have been scanning the ground. "Looks like some people are going to fall out a window today."

Kazue's expression hadn't changed as she only straightened her back with a nervous aura gracing over her. It seemed he was serious in about jumping out of the window and it only made her worry for a bit at the suggestion. What if he had gotten injured? She wouldn't be able to help him - blame herself no less for not even having any sort of devices to call for help. The building had been rather high as she had thought to herself before.

Her only major distortion was the fall, the rate, and the impact of landing.

Since jumping out of the window had now seemed to be their only option Kazue blinked her light blue eyes at Densetsu with curiosity at who should go first. The blond would have volunteered to go - then again the problem was the very distracting atmosphere she was dealing with. The freshman just didn't want him to get hurt. He interrupted her thought causing her to gasp lightly and turn her head, her bang that stretched down across the middle of her face shifting with her quick movement.

"I'll go," he had said. "I believe you can help lower me a bit to lessen the fall. So... are you able to do this?"

She untied the knots that formed in her stomach as a hand that was loosely by her side gained the action her fingers curling up into her palm and her fist tightening. Determination suddenly took presence as she nodded her head. "Yes. I will do my best." she said softly with a resolve set for today. If she had made just one mistake they both could fall. If she had made just one mistake he could fall and gain an injury. This was all up to her to do her best to not let him down. "L... Let me know when you're ready." she had told him walking by the window and in front of him ready for the task they were about to perform.

[Densetsu Karu]

I'm crazy. I'm crazy. I am going to jump out of a window. Or rather, fall... I'm not crazy, it's the only option. It's the only option. Normally this was crazy. But in this situation, it being the only option... this makes it okay, right? There was nothing else that could be done.

Another glance out the window... he froze, fear turning his legs into lead. This was it. He would move now!... now!... no, he couldn't do this. This was crazy... The only option. Karu glanced about, took a deep breath. He had to get them out of this. He, and she too, had to get to their respective homes safely.

Without a word, he took her hand, suddenly conscious of the thin layer of sweat now coating his own. This was it. Going against every instinct screaming in his head, he lifted his leg over the window ledge. "Hang tight," he said to Masumi, carrying his other leg over the edge. His only support now was one hand clutching tightly to hers, and the other holding onto the edge of the window. His knuckles went white from his tight grip.

"In a second I'm going to bring all of my weight to you. When I'm safe I'll call you down. I'm going to catch you then," he explained, trying to spare using too many words. Then he shifted from the window to holding onto her arms with both hands.

Hanging high above the ground, with both of his hands clutching Masumi's tightly, an immediate fear washed over him. Climb back up. Back into the classroom! I can't do this! It's too much, I can't do something like this. This is crazy. He wanted to let go. Just get it over with. He licked his lips as some kind of prayer for good luck, and then-- without thinking-- let go Masumi.

He had done it. The only option.

Kazue had to be honest with herself when she said she was quite nervous to even come into any sort of contact with Densetsu. Plus, she had been rather nervous about the situation the two were in for the longest of time and the blond was sure that Karu was as well. Kazue closed her eyes for one moment or two to pray that Dentsetsu fell down safely without any type of injury played onto him. The situation made her arms tremble lightly yet she could not go weak. It would lead to her prayer being broken if she had let the peer before her go. Yet she made that promise she wouldn't let him fall. She couldn't let him fall. It was too dangerous and careless of her to do so.

A slight jolt trembled through the freshman's hand as she felt Densetsu grab hold of her hand. It had given her quite a shock for a moment yet she recollected herself as quickly as she could and tightened her grip around his hand, her fingers curling around as if to protect him from darkness if he was a mere child. "Hang tight," and this gave her the signal to grab onto his shoulder as he put his leg over the edge. Kazue could feel her legs tremble lightly as she gripped tightly onto Densetsu's hand praying in her heart that this would work out. This stunt that the two were about to attempt would end with his safety not even minding how she would get down right now. What mattered was his safety no matter how much she was afraid of this situation.

"In a second I'm going to bring all of my weight to you. When I'm safe I'll call you down. I'm going to catch you then," he had said to her.

Kazue was a bit surprised at this. He wouldn't have run off without her or didn't decide to go for means for other help. That had made sense though since this building was practically empty handed at this time. The sun completely had set behind the buildings with the soft shimmers disappearing as the night was coming into play. It had been quite a while that the two were here in their own classroom. If this had gotten out words would have been spread that haven't been said. That is the last thing that the girl needed.

The next thing she had known Densetsu was over the edge and she held onto his arms as he did with hers. Her body was slumped over the edge of the window her stomach being pushed into the part as she twitched her eye slightly at the incoming pain that was indeed striking her stomach. Indeed she knew this would be difficult but none the least it was something poking her stomach that made her hang on tighter to Densetsu. The height seemed to have been making her dizzy yet she kept her gaze onto the brown haired male. Then for a moment's notice he had let go of her his landing perfect and he had looked safe and sound. The sweat that had been on Kazue's forehead disappeared and she pulled herself up her arms trembling very so slightly as she gazed down upon the ground scanning Densetsu's form.

It seemed it was her turn now to achieve the only option.

Kazue took a soft gulp as a fear of hers was heights. Yet she had to get home after all. It would be a whole weekend she would spend here if she hadn't completed this only option. She carefully drew both of her legs over until she was sitting upon the window sill with her hands on each of her sides of the window for a bit of support with her bag and Densetsu's hanging on her arm. After all if the two left their bags it would be a suspicious behavior whenever they came back on the day they had to return.

"... H... Here I go."

She huffed her chest - her breath hitching - and she pushed her feet against the cement under her. Kazue pushed off and closed her eyes waiting for impact with whatever she would come into contact with whether it was Densetsu or the ground.

[Densetsu Karu]

...How do I get into these things?

In the sky, clouds drifted by at a sluggish pace. They seemed to promise a shower. These were the short observations he made before he hit the ground. It felt like... temporary flight. Or falling, with style. He spread his arms out, like a bird, not consciously, but rather instinctively. It was likely a bad position to be in when falling, but he didn't have time to think about it. Even though the feeling of flying-falling lasted for a long time, is also felt very short-lived. It was... contradictory.

...Why is life so unpredictable?

The landing itself was another story. Karu's feet collided with the ground, but his position was at such an odd angle that his right leg twisted in an uncomfortable way-- accompanied with the feeling of a mild pain-- losing his balance and landing on his rump. The pain on his ankle wasn't very intense, so he assumed it hadn't been sprained. He pushed the thought from his mind to focus on Masumi, who was bracing herself for the same fall he had endured.

How exactly was he to catch her, anyhow? Obviously he hadn't thought this out thoroughly enough. This was the point of no return now. He rushed to his feet, wasting no time. He noticed a mild uncomfortable feeling in his leg as he stood, but tried to ignore it as he braced himself for the collision with his classmate.

...When will things go right for once?

It was like slow motion, and yet, it was so quick-- just as his fall had been. But finally, she fell into his outstretched arms. They fell, his arms tightly around her. He ended up sprawled on the ground, with her sitting on his chest. He realized it had started to rain. Exhausted, he let his head fall back, closing his eyes, and let the cool droplets lap at his face.

...There's nothing I can do.

Kazue had felt something she hadn't before. What the fall seemed like in seconds seemed to stretch on for eternity. The clouds seemed to turn a darker color as the sudden weather change was unpredictable. The sunset sky and the glittering orbs of light disappeared as the promise of the droplets of rain began to pass on. The sight in her eyes reflected in that of a mirror at the sight - her irises widening as she felt her soul sort of fly from the chains that had held her down.

Though the landing she expected was something that had made her whole being halt. Her irises turned into rather small circles that they formed as she felt her fall right into her classmate’s arms. Kazue shivered slightly from the impact as she had felt Densetsu's arms around her when he had caught her. Another fall greeted her as the two had fallen once again onto the ground. The blond blinked once or twice as the droplets of heaven sprayed down upon them her irises shaking ever so slightly before shaking her head, hurriedly shooting off of Densetsu and pushing her knees on the ground as she had turned around to face him.

The expression that Densetsu had on his features seemed to be that of exhaustion yet nonetheless she had sat there in silence holding both of their bags in her arms. Her being was soaked to the skin as the bangs around her face disappeared into the sides of her hair. The one that had stretched down her face still stuck onto her face as if it was a part of her. Her courage had slipped away as she only lost some color in her eyes as a sense of hers began to act on instinct.

"... Thank you ... very much."

It was as if the question - she was preparing to ask - had spoken for itself; she had spoken unconsciously. "You... are alright?" she had asked as her eyes gazed upon Densetsu's face as she watched his facial expression - leaning forward slightly. Her fingers curled around the bags she held in her arms ever so slightly.

[Densetsu Karu]

His body was heavy with exhaustion. All he wanted to do was close his eyes and ease his aching limbs. A warning signal pulsed at the back of his head. Despite how gentle the wispy fingers of rain were, the rain may get heavier, in which case he needed to move. Still, it was difficult, as each droplet seemed to sink him further into the ground.

"... Thank you ... very much."

Masumi's words were muffled by the sound of rain. Nevertheless, she caused the gears in his head to begin to run in the present again. Several seconds passed. He wondered why she was thankful. Sure, he had helped her, but he did what had to be done. It was the only thing that could have been done, after all.

"Anytime," he managed to release a single word from his throat. He meant it as a way to lighten the mood, but he didn't feel any better.

"You... are alright?"

He didn't want to, but it was necessary: he forced his muscles into action, to stand again. "I'm fine." His right leg was throbbing, but he decided not to worry her with that information. Would he have to limp home? Trying not to worry about it, he wrapped his fingers around the strap on his bag and lifted it over his shoulder. It felt heavier than usual, likely because of his lack of energy.

"Let's get out of here." He was sick of this place... the very aura of his terrible life seemed to magnify itself in this school... it was like it echoed off the white walls, coming back at him, soaking into him over and over again. It beat him to the ground and kept him there.

Karu sluggishly extended his hand to Masumi in an offer to pull her to her feet. Masumi... she seemed different, then when he first studied her. Yasuda's words played in his head. They were startlingly true, given how much of a child Yasuda was.... Maybe he owed her more credit. She was obviously great enough for him to consider a "friend."

"Once you talk to someone, they become different, don't you think?"

Masumi Kazue... she was... interesting.

The day sure seemed interesting if Kazue looked back upon it. She had been assigned to take back some cleaning supplies with the classmate - though it resulted with the two becoming trapped inside the room by some ridicule upperclassmen. She and Densetsu had finally spoken to each other, had managed to find a way to get out of the room, and are now here on the ground in the pouring rain. Densetsu's next words had brought the blond back into reality, her eyes widening slightly in surprise before she gazed her eyes to him.

"Anytime," he had said to her.

His reply to her question came soon after that as she had been concerned about Densetsu. "I'm fine." he had replied to her. Kazue couldn't help but feel there was something wrong in the air - something that was warning her, but for what particular reason?

"Let's get out of here."

Kazue flinched in surprise as she was once again brought back into reality. She seemed to be drifting off more than usual. The blond hesitantly took the outstretched hand that belonged to Densetsu and stood up onto her feet with a nod of her head. It was a strange feeling though when she had came into contact with his hand. She didn't feel threatened nor did she sense any hostile behavior. After all, the two did work together to escape from the school at this time of day. The way she had found him seemed... more interesting. Kazue began to slowly walk at Densetsu's side her eyes catching a glimpse of him every moment or two as the two began to walk out. She held her bag politely in her hands, thinking to herself.

My... assumption was wrong. He's actually... nice...