𝐄𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐘 『 senku 』

iv. her first friend

do you remember your first friend?

THEY ALWAYS SAY to keep your friends close but your enemies closer. That is how you will survive in life. But how do you differentiate a friend and an enemy? Why must you keep your enemies closer? Was it because you know their true intentions towards you instead of just being a target for betrayal to these so-called 'friends'?

Well, that's too in-depth for Akari to think in the morning. Maybe she could think about it in the afternoon but for now, she'll try to act like her age since that was what she's in for right?

Half of the day had passed and it was now lunch break. Akari's classmates were mingling with one another, excited to make friends and have fun during the short break. Meanwhile, the said child took out her book and continued reading about the world's history.

"Trojan horses...how oblivious could they have been," she thought to herself. Her pupils moved from one end of the page to another, flipping through the pages every once in awhile. But her mind suddenly strayed to the sentence that the boy told her.

'You're weird'

"Weird...how am I weird?" She muttered. Akari began fumbling with her own fingers as she tried to re-read the whole page. She was losing focus in reading because of what that boy said. Why did he call her weird? Was it her face? Akari was sure she had the same set of eyes, nose and mouth like others.

Without her realising, the classroom had became empty and silent. She was still seated in her assigned seat while everyone else had gone out to eat in the lunch room. Akari felt like something was missing, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Perhaps it was because she had always been alone so it didn't disturbed her much that she had no friends or anyone to talk to.

The small girl sighed before picking herself up mentally to continue reading. Suddenly, the classroom door slid open as a familiar face greeted her. Akari jumped in surprise before looking cautiously at him as he walked to her.

"Can I help you?" She asked, holding the urge to call him weird too. He hadn't said anything after calling her weird so he was also a weird one too right?

"The others wanted to play," he replied, now standing beside her table.

"Oh...and?"

Akari's face was written in confusion. She's never had to interact with anyone outside the topic of science or knowledge so her social cues weren't that great.

"They're no fun, all they want to do is play and waste energy," he continued. Now, Akari was even more confused. Isn't that what...playing was suppose to be?

"What are you reading?" He prompted, now grabbing his chair to sit at her table. She simply let him be. He was the second person to ask her what she was reading; The first being her dad.

"World history,"

"Hm..why?" He asked with curiosity. His eyes glanced at the page she was reading.

"It's interesting. I can learn a lot from learning about the past. Using their strategies and tactics, I can use it or prevent it from happening again. Humans think alike."

His eyes was glued at her thick book before looking towards her.

"Is that all you read?"

Akari frowned. How could one read a single topic when there's many others? What kind of question was that?

"No. I read about space, science, maths, english literature , psychology and more. But for now, I like world history," she answered, closing the book to show the cover to him.

"You read about space?" His eyes was now bright, shock was evident on his face.

"Yes, it was my first book,"

The boy placed a finger on his chin, as if he were in deep thought. Akari simply looked at him awkwardly. This was the first conversation she had with someone her age. What else was she supposed to do? The books she read before didn't state any definite steps for her to take.

She was doing good right? Holding a conversation with her classmate!

"You're really weird," he said after long seconds. His hands reached out to take her history book as he examined it. Akari could feel anger slightly rising inside her heart.

The girl took her statement back. She was not doing good! This was a first for Akari to feel such emotion. Why does he keep saying that without explaining?

"Why do you keep saying that? I don't get it," her voice raised.

Akari loved to read and learn new stuff but one thing she hated the most was confusion. She always knew what the books meant and remembered everything but she can't take being confused for a second. She needed answers!

"No one reads books here. Kids shouldn't like books...so you're weird," he explained, simply shrugging at his own statement. Akari's heart sank. She was weird because she's doing what she likes?

"But...I don't mind weird.." the boy said before looking away. His hands were placed atop the table after placing Akari's book back to position. Akari tilted her head in query but Senku didn't face her at all. His hand covering his mouth as if he were hiding something.

"You..don't mind me?" Akari asked. Again, social cues weren't her thing. The boy slowly nodded. His face turned back to face her but his eyes stayed on her book.

"Oh..thank you, but I don't like you," Akari said, causing the boy to let out a loud 'huh?'. His eyebrows raised with his response.

"The first thing you said to me, you called me weird. I also don't know your name and daddy said that if a boy talks to me, I have to say that,"

The boy let out a little laugh before placing a hand out towards her.

"My name is Senku. You should stay by my side and work with me!" he spoke boldly with a smile that screams confidence.

Akari thought for awhile. Has she finally made a friend? This was a first that someone wanted to learn with her!
Her heart started beating rapidly from the thought. She took out her hand as well.

"Hello, Senku. I'm Akari...I guess I'll stay by your side for now," she reciprocated, holding his hand. The boy smiled brightly again from her actions.

-

"What..are you working for?" Akari prompted.

The two kids had finished introducing themselves to one another. Mostly, it was Senku asking Akari questions about her hobby of reading. He was shocked to hear that someone of his age could remember and retain every information they read.

Now he's wondering if she's a robot or something...

They had five minutes left to the end of break but they were still alone in class. The boy looked outside, towards the sky before giving Akari his answer.

"I want to go to space,"

Akari hummed, looking down at her book. It was normal for kids to wish to go to space. Some wanted to touch the moon, others wanted to surf through the galaxy full of stars - thought Akari knows that makes no sense. There was silence for a few moments before Senku spoke up again.

"Don't worry, I'll bring you with me if you're that sad,"

The small girl frowned. She wasn't sad or anything. Did her face show she was sad? She might need to look at the mirror when she gets home today.

"Okay...I'll look forward to it, Senku. I hope I can go to space with you someday,"

The boy smiled before muttering, "This is going to be exciting,"