Unfit to Be the Heroine

Behind the Figure

"Gestalt psychology refers as the prominent image as the figure and the white sheet where the ink was blotted would be the background", the sound of the teacher enveloped the room silenced due to the students focusing with other matters such as the final test. 

The bell rang and the once silent room was filled with noises. 

"Hey! Want to come over my place after the exam?"

"How about let's hit the karaoke?"

"Mind reviewing first before you even think of what happens after the exam?"

Looking in front of my desk, my book and notebook are still wide open. I grab on my pen and covered it with it's lid. That reminds me, I need to buy another one. Everyone is starting to leave the room. Its unfortunate that my schedule for cleaning would be the day before the exam. 

"Kawamatsu, I'll go get the broom. It seems that the next class didn't return it the last time they borrowed it", someone placed his hand at the edge of my desk. There's no other response to that than to just look at him and nod. Even if I never asked for his name before, I still knew about it. 

"Kai! We'll be waiting for you at the school gate!". 

He waved at them with his wide smile. His name is all over the place, from the beginning until this very end. 

I fixed my bag and went to erase the writings on the board. BACKGROUND. "Oh. Excuse me. Kai said he'll be scheduled for the after class cleaning. He's not here". Even without looking at the person, I already knew who it was. Just like Sawamura, she's a well-known figure. Newly hair dyed locks and a pretty face with a bubbly aura. "He's looking for a broom", I averted my eyes noticing the discomfort from her. I must be staring too much, talk about being creepy. 

 "I'll just wait for him here", she sat on the nearest chair. I didn't mind her being there but she's all fidgety hearing the rustling of her skirt. "Are you feeling nervous for tomorrow? I mean, we're going to close this chapter of our lives just few days after", Saotome Fumiko asked as if we're that acquainted. I turned and gave a long stare. She flinched and looked away. "There's nothing for me to be nervous with", I went outside to dust off the chalk from the erased. The corridor is still filled with students chatting with their friends. 

There's nothing for me to be nervous with. Whether I remain here or leave, nothing changed. From the first day that I was here and until now, nothing changed. Whether I was here or was not here, nothing will change. 

"Kawamatsu, you have some dust on your hair", a hand reached out to my head and patted it. He bent down to my face level. "What's are the odds that you'd be paired with me in the cleaning assignment", Hiroshi Kai chuckled. I made a distance and cleared my throat. "Thanks", I started to walk back inside the classroom. "Kawamatsu, let's do our best tomorrow", he cheered. He probably said that to everyone he met along the corridor. 

As we head back the classroom, Saotome waved at Hiroshi. I made my way and fixed the curtain. 

"They're already waiting for us at the gate". 

"I'll be quick with this. I bet they're dying to learn from the great tutor". 

"There you go again, Kai". 

Their laughter and conversation filled my head. It makes sense, they're relationship since first year bloomed this far because they're too compatible. No one could protest to that and thus, even if Hiroshi is famous and all, girls still limits their interaction with him. 

"Yosh! Done", Hiroshi raised the broom and dust pan. "Let's go then", Saotome stood up and waited near the door. For some reason, I sat down and looked outside the window. I felt someone stopping next to me. "Maybe you would want to join us?", Hiroshi invited. "I'm not the kind of person who joins group study", I answered without looking at him. "It'll be the last two days of our high school days. I never saw you going with anyone", Hiroshi's attention making me uncomfortable. I did not respond hoping he'll just get the hint and go. 

"Here's a pen I had as a prize in the arcade house. You can have it. See you tomorrow", Hiroshi dropped it on my desk. 

I looked down and noticed that it's the same brand and ball point that I'm using since first year. I tried to thank him but he already left with Saotome. 

After having my fill with my meditation, I went out and saw a figure leaning on the wall. This time, the corridor is empty. "Let's go home", she smiled. Though I went on day in and out without joining any group or having friends inside the school, I still know that I am a social being. 

"Look at your long face. Are you actually sad that your high school is going to end?!", she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Why are you here? You could have waited for me in the usual place", I sighed and tried to get away from her. If someone sees, they'll think I'm getting bullied. "The usual place is closed today. What about let's go and visit the newly opened pancake house", Nanami lets go and dragged me outside. 

I walked behind this taller lady with shoulder-length hair and four ear-piercing, two per ear. I told her that one is enough. She has her way of getting away disobeying school rules. Her skirt is 5 cm shorter and she's wearing shirt topped by her blouse. She usually unbuttons her blouse so she's clearly not wearing a proper uniform. We stopped in front the pedestrian. 

"Are you okay being with me instead of your friends at school?", I felt guilty having her stuck with me. "I need help for Math. You're going to help me, right?", she winked. "Your the top student and you don't need my help", I sighed. "You could also be the top student if not because of that all-rounder dude", she stretched my cheeks. I slightly pushed her. 

I'm getting tired walking from the school to the pancake house that Nanami wanted to visit. "We're here", she informed. Finally, I can rest. I stared at the traditional looking shop with bamboo all around. The entrance is also a wooden slide-door. "We're coming in", Nanami opened it and we were welcomed with a cat heading outside. It's white and orange. I didn't waste the time to carry it on my arms. "You don't know how to hold back, don't you", Nanami was worried that it might scratch me. 

We entered and saw on the empty seat on the side. We removed our shoes and sat on the floor. "It's a good place, right?", she boasted. "Yes", I nodded and caressed the cat's back. Fortunately, it's used to being carried. I placed it on my lap. 

"Mom, we'll be getting three more cup of tea". 

"I met that all-knowing dude and her girlfriend along the corridor. Say, he's really handsome. If you say that he's also good in sport and he's playing the guitar, I wouldn't mind stealing him for you", Nanami squealed. I had gotten used to her being romantic and talking about matters involving relationships. I read the menu and ignored what she said. 

"It's a good thing you brought your friend here. Should I also bake some cookies?"

"Sure Mom. Thanks". 

"I've got my university invitation. Yes! We'll get to be in the same university", Nanami informed. "That's good for you, then", I nodded. The waiter already knelt next to us. "I'll have cabbage pancake", she ordered. I did the same but asked for another flavor. "Are you also here to review your lessons? Kids nowadays are very studious", the waiter might have noticed the textbooks on the side of the table. He politely bowed and left. 

I opened the book and scanned on the lesson that Nanami wanted to study. "Then, then, do you think you can beat him this time?", Nanami leaned on the table. "Do you really have to ask that question?", I flipped the book to show it to her. "You're intelligent. I'm just fortunate that I didn't enroll in the same school as yours", Nanami lazily scribbled on my book. "I'm also thankful for that. If I happen to be top student, I need to be exposed more. Staying as the second, I lived a peaceful life. No one would care for the second best. To begin with, they're the first losers", I let out a short laugh. I didn't mean anything deeper than that but Nanami looked so concerned. "I mean-", I was about to say that it's not a big deal when her eyes suddenly widened. She saw something behind me. 

I turned and nearly bit my tongue to see Hiroshi behind. "Ah, you're also here. Enjoy your stay", he looked fazed but he excused himself right away. 

Nanami pulled me. "He's really handsome", she shook me.