Hibiki

Prologue

I feel..

Nothing.

          But I like the silence, and I like the coldness of the weather. I don't hate anything. I don't hate myself and I don't hate anyone.

Does that make me kind or plain?
Does being comforted by the chilly afternoon breeze count as a "feeling?"

It's not the same kind of feeling as touch, I meant emotions.

What even makes a person normal? Average, like the rest, blending in the crowd?

I guess, I should be feeling jealous right now. But why don't I?

Such thoughts..

          I looked to my side and Kaede was there. Looking at me intently through the lenses of his camera.
"Is there something on my face." I asked.

          "Nope." Kaede took a deep breath as he tried to force a smile. He's like an open book these days.

I took a deep breath and asked the question he has been waiting for. "Do you want me to model for you?"

He looked at me for a moment, then gave me his camera.
Heavy..

          "Well, yes.. but fix your posing first, you get a little stiff when you know there's a camera pointing at you." Kaede laughed.

          "Really?" I scrolled through the camera roll.

          "Really."

I do look weird.
          "Really.." I handed him back the camera.

He didn't say a word, bringing back the silence that was just present a while ago.

Rays of light shine through the window of our empty classroom. Birds chirped outside, sitting on top of the blooming trees of cherry blossoms.

It's silent.

Only the wind that blew in from the outside, moving the curtains back, and the sound of Kaede, scrolling through pictures were the only things that could be heard.

A peaceful moment passed by quickly when the bell finally rang.
One early student came in.

          "I'll go back to my seat." Kaede smiled at me.

I feel like I've forgotten something..

          "Kaede." I called out early without even remembering what I was supposed to say. "What was it again.."

He looked at me, confused. "I need to do my assignment you kno-"

"What makes a human, human?"