A Name Without A Face

Chapter 7 {Who I Once Was}

 A pair of eyes, watching me from a distance. I felt nothing from them. No malice, no wonder, not even interest. Just observation.

I returned the look, and the girl blinked, tilting her head like she was trying to find something.

Every other student slipped past like shadows, not even turning my way, but this girl, why did I feel like I knew her?

Another memory?

The scientists must have made a mistake if I seem to be remembering so much.

I couldn't remember her name, or where my past self knew her, but I felt like I did.

She seemed to be coming closer, but I wasn't planning on moving. Her short hair waved with her as her small fingers tucked under the strap of her backpack. When she approached, I thought I could smell the faint scent of strawberries. How boring.

"You... Have red eyes." The girl finally muttered, looking at me like a confused puppy. Such a strange... Thing to say. I could only hum a reply, looking her down. She blinked once more, falling silent. What could she have been looking for? What piqued her interest? "You know... Know I am, right? I think you do, right?" Her quiet voice muttered.

I had barely escaped the classroom before being stopped by this strange girl, but I couldn't answer that question, because I couldn't remember her name. She stretched out her hand and I didn't even flinch when she felt my hair for a few seconds, eyes narrowed. "It's you, isn't it Hajime?"

That name...

My chest began to hurt at the mere mention of it. Why did it cause this pain to simply hear it? I grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away, no longer interested in her examining. "You bore me. I don't know this Hajime." Breathing a sigh, I started to move past her when her gentle voice called the name. "Hinata, Hajime. Can't you remember?"

I stopped in my tracks.

What did she know?

"I'm Chiaki Nanami. The Ultimate Gamer. You know me... I think." Adding that last bit of hesitation, I could feel my own hesitation surface.

"I know nobody by that name." Giving a sigh, I finally escaped Chiaki, leaving her standing there in the hall. Even as I strode away, I still felt her eyes on my back.

I didn't want to eat, but I chose to visit the cafeteria anyway. How... Disgusting. Even in an established school such as Hope's Peak, students became children at lunch. It was loud, messy, and disorganized. I was almost ready to back out when I happened to catch yet another pair of staring eyes. It was to be expected with my someone odd appearance, so I would put up with it. The student rose and came close, walking like royalty. "It is a pleasure to see a new face." The girl giggled sweetly. I could see her eyes, ruby red, and her long drill hair, jet black. I wouldn't deny those similarities I also possessed but I would hardly call her parallel to myself. A simple, average student like me. Not wearing a uniform either, so she was most likely an ultimate.

"Do you need something?" I tried starring her down so she would leave me, but the girl made no such moves.

"Oh certainly not. I simply wished to make greetings. You remind me of..."

Would she say that name?

"A Dark Prince. Yes, I believe that is the relationship I am looking for when I see you. Do you agree on that?"

I wasn't surprised to not hear the name if I couldn't remember her though. "No." I closed my eyes, trying to tune out the nonsense but she only giggled again.

"You are certainly amusing. And I am certainly rude for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Celestia Ludenberg, owner of the title 'Ultimate Gambler. It's very nice to meet you, new student." She bowed with a fake smile. This girl... Just by looking at her, I could tell what kind of person she was. Her false smile hiding all of her malice and deceit. Dangerous? No... I didn't feel threatened physically, but she was manipulative. "Good to know." As I started to back away, Celestia cleared her throat. "You are an ultimate, are you not? If you were not, you would be wearing a uniform. I am in class 78."

I could think and think, but she wasn't someone I felt I was familiar with. With a nod goodbye, I left the cafeteria to continue exploring.