Étude of Humanity

Chapter Twelve

Sayre always wondered what a school festival is.

Or actually, that's just one of the many needles in the haystack yet to be pulled out of, or do I?

I'm kind of an odd duck, knowing that Sayre is a savant that knows everything while at the same time, being so dumbfoundedly clueless about what school is in various magnitudes childish than a child would. Sayre is at least two to four years younger than my classmates are in fourth grade—that'll get some thoughts somewhere.

In fact, the idea of "school" is one of some things that Sayre personally does not know about. Technically, I do, but it's something in an uncanny valley between knowing and not knowing; experiencing and not experiencing it just yet. When I say technical, a school is generally an educational institution where humans hone knowledge at a young age to be educated and prepared for their later years in life.

When I think about the school festival, technically, it's where a school celebrates its founding annually and hosts various events, activities, stalls, either by someone, a class wanting to host a maid café in their classroom, or something like a band playing in the school's gymnasium. That's technical and knowledgeable and all, but that's just boring, don't chu think?

Just "thinking" about it is lacking.

It's like an alien trying to understand human emotions but can't.

Anywhoozles back to the school festival, Sayre can't wait for that festive week. Maybe I can hang out with Hana-chan and she gets to teach me all about this school festival buzz? Maybe Chihiro and me get to see the preparations of the nerdy clubs and hang out there? Or wait—what if the three of us go watch a movie prepared by the Drama Club?

I can't wait!

I can't wait...!

I can't wait

I can't wait...

...

Literally, Sayre can't wait.

Because I can't be there to begin with.

So what is there to wait?

The weeks after I just got back to school were rather extraordinary and quite sad at the same time.

Let Sayre start with the bad news.

While Chihiro and I simply looked at Hana-chan as simply trying to adapt without me around for two weeks by befriending other of our classmates in our class, that seemed to be part of the case. My gut feeling was right—I wasn't kidding when I felt that Hana-chan was slowly avoiding me and not doing things that are usually done by her between the two of us like going down for lunch. Even if I do pull her hand to go down to the canteen, she always uses the "Sorry, I have errands to hurry to" card.

It wasn't until Hana-chan became one with the people who'd talk behind my backs and talk negatively of me. Actually—she became distant as soon as she started to notice my gaining excellency or being a savant. I tried to confront her, but she would eerily stray away from me like a silent megaphone.

But I know the reason why she acted like that.

"She's probably jealous," I thought.

In fact, I already knew why she acted that way from the very beginning, so might as well use that to my advantage to plan my way of steering our relationship farther.

In short, my time with Hana-chan was short lived. We didn't even have the chance to hang out of school or even see each other's houses. It was all up to small talks in the classroom, the canteen, the hallways, and the way to and from school. I didn't even get the chance to know her favorite color, food, pastime—all of the things that friends do!