His Equal

Learning More

No matter what I do, I can't get Asuka Teruhashi out of my mind. The way she was able to tell what I was feeling, the way she could just read me as if it was nothing, pissed me off. She didn't have the best grades, but she was well liked among our peers. 

Everyone couldn't think of a single bad thing to say about her, even though I could list ten. That phrase she said, rose tinted glasses. I understand what she meant, and it makes perfect sense. It was the fact that she didn't see the world the same way that they did. 

Why can't she just be like the rest of the students at our school? Why can she see through every single person at our school? It doesn't make sense. Did she learn how to do that on her own? Did she watch others around her to be able to do that? I had no clue, but I was going to find out, no matter what the tactic.

But firstly, I need to get a second opinion on her from my fellow classmates. I've asked everyone else in the school, besides the people in my class. Everyone else has the same opinion on her, so it should be the same thing from my classmates.

"What do you think about Teruhashi Asuka,"

I asked, waiting to hear the group's answer. They usually provide me accurate information, so whatever they say is more accurate than what the school has given me so far.

"That photographer girl right? She's pretty nice, she helped find my notebooks when I lost them awhile back."

"Oh yeah, she's great at taking pictures as well! She knows just what to say to make us relax, to make sure that we don't screw up the photo shoot."

"Overall, she's got that calming trait down. She's also pretty smart, and knows exactly what to say to a person for some reason. I thought it was creepy at first, but it actually has helped deescalate a situation. Definitely would want to be on her side if I'm ever in a tight bind."

I listened to what they had to say about her, and it irritated me more than I thought it would. How does someone manage to have the entire student population wrapped around their finger like that? She does minor things, and somehow they all think she's a good person. I furrowed my eyebrows, staring at the picture of her, while she held her camera with a grin on her face. Just who are you, Asuka Teruhashi?

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰

I was reading Asuka's transcripts, seeing that she always had average grades. They always were the same, no improvement, or anything. Odd, usually someone would have made some improvement, but she was in the same position that she was in during primary school. 

But it seems like she's always carried a camera around with her, at least from the photos that I have of her. Only time she doesn't have a camera in her hand in a picture, is when we're doing pictures to have ourselves placed in our yearbook, along with student ID's. 

She's becoming more mysterious than she was before, which is infuriating. How does that even work? Maybe I can work more on this during summer break, when I don't have to worry about finals or mid terms. That's probably the only time I will get any peace and quiet. 

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰

I was walking towards a nearby cafe, just to get something to eat. I couldn't focus and I needed something to help me regain my concentration that I've for some reason lost. I entered the cafe, and took my seat in a booth in the corner by the window, when I saw Teruhashi not too far from me. 

I heard her laughing, and saw that she was on the phone with someone. She must be having a good time, even though the person isn't there with her. I turned away from her, getting something to eat. I need to hurry so then I can get back to work on the summer homework I was assigned.

After finishing my meal, I was about to leave when I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Teruhashi grinning up at me, while I just furrowed my brow at the sight of her.

"Well, would ya look at that? Looks like we have similar tastes in food, if you come here! It's nice to see you wearing something casual as well, kind of odd not seeing you in the uniform though."

She eyed me up and down, while I just ignored it. She sure is bold, coming over to talk as if we were friends.

"What do you want exactly? Don't you have summer homework to work on?"

"Nope, finished that awhile ago. Now, it's just smooth sailing for the next little while! How about you join me for a fun day out? It could help with that serious frowning problem that you have, you know."

"I don't have a frowning problem. This is just how my face looks."

"Yeah, sure, and I'm a beautiful blond with bright blue eyes! Come on, it'll be fun, loosen up a bit! It's summer, no school, and no one will even know it's you if you're hanging out with me."

I stared down at the girl before me, thinking about my options. I could use this as an opportunity to find out more about her, but she will definitely annoy me. Do I want to take that risk, just to figure out how she read me?

"Fine, not like I have anything better to do anyway. Where are we going?"

Teruhashi smiled, and she grabbed my arm, dragging me out of the cafe down the street. I tried to pry my arm out of her grip, but it didn't work out with her iron grip. I stopped resisting and let her drag me around the town, letting her show me the odd specialties that each shop had. It was intriguing, to see that she knew every single person around the city. She was very well informed, that's something I could tell.