CHAPTER 7 - Saik, a Strange Guy
(POV - Ram)
That guy named "Saik" is an incredibly strange and mysterious person. I could tell his nature just by looking at him.
He's a loner. He reminds me of my past self, though saying it like that, considering my current self, doesn't make much sense. Whatever.
What kind of life does he have? To be honest, I'm a bit intrigued. He's the only guy who caught my attention on the first day of classes.
He refused to give the welcome speech, despite being the top first-year student.
His introduction was brief, making it clear he's not interested in socializing or getting to know us.
And when the teacher asked him something, he simply replied, "Sorry, I don't know."
I'm starting to doubt his intelligence… Or… maybe… I think he doesn't like drawing attention to himself… No, that's not it. If he didn't want attention, he'd comb his hair.
His hairstyle is weird… You can barely see his eyes.
He's the strangest person in my class. I'm interested in learning more about him.
A tough challenge is always welcome, but this time, it's a challenge whose actions I can't find any logical sense in.
Saik, you're truly a strange guy.
"Trying to understand him will take time."
It's been a long time since I wasn't the best in my class, and that makes me feel quite out of place. I feel like I don't belong.
Did Saik really cheat on the entrance exam somehow, or is he just a slacker who avoids answering questions?
But, seriously, could a slacker really surpass me?
I understand Saik less and less.
Let's see, the only things I know about him so far are that he's a slacker who prefers to keep his distance from others, a guy who hates socializing or simply feels more comfortable being alone. And his hair reflects that he doesn't care what others think of him. Either that, or he actually wants to draw attention.
No… I refuse to believe that someone as smart as him would act so childishly. Does he really cover his face with his hair to get attention? I refuse to believe that's true because if it is, it would mean I was beaten by someone so ridiculous.
My mind keeps trying to understand his behavior, but I just can't believe he actually surpassed me.
Do natural geniuses really exist? Those who memorize something after reading it just once. Is Saik one of them?
If so…
"It'll be even more interesting."
I don't know if I'll be able to surpass a natural genius like Saik, but I'll try. I firmly believe that with effort, anyone can achieve great things. Effort beats natural talent, or at least that's how I see it.
"Mother, Father, I told you. This school is perfect for me."
Here, I've finally found someone I can call a "rival." I'll prove to them that with effort, I can achieve anything.
"Even if I don't have the talent."
•
•
(POV - Saik)
I opened my lunch and started eating.
Being on the rooftop is peaceful. It's forbidden, but no one respects that rule. No one ever does. It's the same at every school. They put a lock, and someone breaks it.
The rooftop is my second favorite place. It would be my first, but since it's somewhat popular among students, there are usually people here.
Luckily, I'm alone. I guess I'm the only loner eating alone on the first day of classes. I mean, after all, even loners will try to make friends. I think I'm the only loner who actually enjoys being a loner.
It's the first day of classes. Everyone's worried about making friends.
I don't have to worry; I already have a friend.
"Delicious! I'll never get tired of your cooking! Saik, marry me and feed me for the rest of your life!"
"Nope."
I've done horrible things in my life, but I'd never do something as awful as marrying a 10-year-old girl. My parents would never forgive me.
"Huh?! Was I just rejected instantly?! You broke my heart!"
"Want some of my chocolate drink?"
"Sure!"
She started drinking. She got over her anger pretty quick.
Though she was joking. I won't fall for her jokes. I'm not a lolicon… Is that what they call pedophiles? I've heard that word a few times, but I'm not used to today's societal slang.
And I'm not interested in romance either. It's a waste of time and money.
"Delicious!"
She handed me back the drink… and it's empty. I'd better not complain; I've got another one anyway. That's why I always buy a lot, because I know Yuki's voracious appetite all too well. I don't blame her; I'm the same way. Two peas in a pod, like the siblings we are.
"Thanks, Saik!"
"… You're welcome."
"Fufu. What was that little pause? Did you get nervous about our indirect kiss?!"
Indirect kiss? Ah, I know what that is. A stupid thing.
She licked her lips and leaned toward me, acting flirty, though she's just teasing me. But I'll admit it's a bit uncomfortable, considering Yuki's 10 years old. Her acting so indecently is very awkward, and even illegal to witness. Yuki's mother, I hope you didn't teach her anything weird. If you did, I'll have to educate her to be a purer, more innocent young lady. Well, only if she wants to. It's her life, and if she likes being this way, there's nothing I can do about it; I'll respect her choice.
"Well, well. You get nervous over something like that? How adorable, Saik. Want a direct kiss?"
She blew me a kiss while winking… Yeah, this is weird.
"Actually, I don't mind sharing my drink with people. Indirect kisses are nonsense. Only idiots would get nervous about something like that. And I paused because you had chocolate on your lips, making you look like an adorable little girl. I was about to pat your head."
"Y-you're doing it!"
"… Ah."
True, I'm patting her head.
"You're so adorable I didn't even notice. What a sinister power."
"Don't call me sinister!"
She pouted, and I couldn't help but pinch her cheek. What an adorable little sister I have.
"Uwaaaah! That hurts!"
"Ah, sorry, I couldn't help it. Here."
I offered her another chocolate drink, and she snatched it.
"Next time, pinch my cheeks more gently! Hmph!" she said angrily, pouting at the end.
Ah, wow. Does that mean I have permission to pinch her cheeks, but gently? Lucky me, huh?
Ah… Yeah, I definitely feel more comfortable with ghosts than with humans.
I looked at the students hanging out with their friends, and a few others just using their phones instead of socializing in real life.
I'll never be like them, no matter how hard I try. I don't feel comfortable talking to living humans.
And I've never understood social media or smartphone stuff like that. I always stayed away from it and only used my phone to look up information and messaging apps.
They all look like zombies, staring at their phones, entranced. If they were playing a mobile game or looking up information online, that's fine, but if they're just using them for no reason, because they can't live without the attention they don't get in real life or to watch nonsense, that's wrong. They should use that time for something else.
Ah, that's why I'll never understand living humans; they're so different from me.
"Saik, are you gay?"
"What an unexpected question."
"Just curious, my esteemed helmet-hair. Not just anyone can resist my feminine charms. I can't even get a stutter out of you. My feminine dignity is in pieces!"
"Well, I don't know. Maybe, you know, I'm just not a pedophile."
"Is that an excuse to dodge the question?"
"Well… I don't know. I don't like men or women. I'll let life decide for me."
"Hmm. Sounds suspicious."
Yeah, I know, but… Huh?
That over there is…
"Nooooo!!" screamed a female ghost in the distance as her spiritual body exploded in the air.
The poor area… Someone with the power to see ghosts is in the city.
"A woman screamed? Did you hear that, Saik?"
"Ah, Yuki, let me tell you, you were very lucky I found you first."
"What do you mean? And why do I feel like I'm about to hear something disturbing?"
"You know I'm not the only one with the gift of seeing ghosts. There are others in the world. I met one in the past, from a distance; I never talked to him. And you know what I saw when I went to his house to spy on him? You know, to see if I could trust him and get his help, since he seemed very friendly with ghosts, surrounded by female ghosts."
"What did you see?"
"Him, raping a ghost."
"R-raping?!"
I stroked Yuki's cheeks.
"Look, I can touch you like you're alive, and I guess you know what that means. The rest of the body is the same, no exceptions."
"W-why are you telling me this?"
"The woman who screamed was a female ghost. I saw her spiritual body explode."
"E-exploded?!"
"And she was naked. The perfect crime. Raping and taking advantage of defenseless ghosts. Someone with my power can control any ghost and force them to do whatever they want. That person probably got bored of that ghost and destroyed it."
"S-she just destroyed it because they got bored of her? T-that's so… disgusting… Disgusting…"
Huh? Yuki's body is trembling too much, filled with terror.
Is Yuki that sensitive about these kinds of topics?
"Hey, Yuki…"
I tried to pat her head to calm her down, but she slapped my hand away.
"Don't touch me…! N-no! I-I'm sorry, it's just that…"
"Erase memories."
It's trauma. Probably because she found out her mother's a criminal. I need to keep her away from these kinds of things for her mental health.
… Done.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're gay. Don't play innocent with me."
"I'm not."
"Fufu. Still in the denial phase, huh?"
I patted her head.
"I'll always be with you, Yuki. Nothing bad will ever happen to you with me."
"Uwaaaah! W-why are you saying such embarrassing things out of nowhere?! A-are you confessing to me?!"
"No, I just wanted you to know. Your good big brother will always protect you."
"D-don't act cool all of a sudden!"
I can erase her memories thanks to my power over her, but it has its limits. I need to keep her away from those kinds of topics.
Don't worry, Yuki, I'll always keep you safe.
There's a man or woman out there, exploding ghosts in the city. Ah, damn it.
I just need to… Huh?
The rooftop door opened, and I immediately pulled my hand away, pretending I was eating alone.
"Huh?" said the person who entered, probably thinking no one would be here.
I won't turn around and will keep eating alone. I won't pay attention. They'll probably feel awkward and leave.
… I hear footsteps. Ah, goodbye, peace. Please don't talk to me.
… They kept walking, ignoring me. Perfect.
I don't know if you're a guy or a girl, but thanks. You ruined my solo lunch with Yuki, but at least you have the decency not to talk to me.
"She's a cute girl, and she wears glasses. Isn't that your type, Saik? And look at her breasts, they're so big! Go talk to her, cold guy!"
I won't talk to her now… or ever. I'd rather avoid being called crazy again.
My phone vibrated.
A notification popped up, and I took it out.
"Hmm… It's available. Perfect."
I opened the game Legends of Sakfor. It's a game where you're an adventurer completing missions to rank up. It's a very popular online game. It's one of my favorites for its difficulty, mechanics, and various playstyles, as well as its open world and the number of available characters, each with unique skills and stories.
I've unlocked the level 89 sword. I can finally kill demons. I've reached the demonic territory, the best part of the game.
I need to clear this level.
•
•
Lunch break ended, and I stood up.
Ah, I wanted to keep playing.
I put my phone away and left… or tried to.
As I was about to leave, someone spoke to me.
"E-excuse me."
I stopped and turned to look at the girl behind me.
"Y-you forgot your food."
Ah, right. I forgot to finish eating. No wonder I'm hungry. I got too distracted with the game.
"Look how nervous she is, Saik. I don't think that's normal behavior."
… She's fidgeting with her fingers in a weird way and avoiding eye contact. She's playing with her fingers to calm herself. Yeah, I see.
"Thanks, miss."
I took the food and left the rooftop without saying anything else.
"She's so adorable! And her body is enviable. I give her an 8 out of 10. She's too shy; that stops being cute when it's too shy. Good call not saying anything else."
True, Yuki. Her tone of voice was odd. She was struggling to speak and fidgeted with her fingers too much. She also avoided looking at me. She's very shy. I'd only make her uncomfortable if I tried talking to her… Besides, I'm not interested in talking to her.
Though I'll admit it's rare to see a shy and pretty girl, and that piques my curiosity a bit. Usually, the shy girls I've met are overweight, unattractive, or have some disability that makes them feel inferior. Her breasts are big, her short black hair is cute. She's pretty. Why is she so shy…? I can think of a few theories, but as I said, I'm not interested in talking to her or being her friend. I don't care how painful her life is or what problems she has; it's her life, let her deal with it alone. I don't care at all.
"Why do I feel like you're thinking something cruel?!" Yuki said, sitting on my shoulders, pinching my cheeks.
Why should I care about someone I don't know? It doesn't make sense.