Just Another Ghostly Story

Sleepless Nights (2)

Mizuki stares blankly at the whiteboard in class. Her head is too occupied thinking about her mom's ultimatum last night. As much as she feels it unfair, she dares not go against her words. It rings in her head even now.

'Mom said she'll let me meet a friend after school as long as she's the one sending me but...' Mizuki cast her gaze towards Daisuke on the other side of the class
'Daisuke would never talk to me in front of others... will he agree to meet me if Mom is there?'

A muffled voice calls to her as she's distracted by that thoughts until
"Mizuki!" Hirase's voice finally registers in her ear

She shoot straight up from her seat answering her "YES!" surprised by her teacher's summon.

"Are you listening? You need to find a pair for this next activity. Everyone's already formed a pair..." Hirase briefly paused, latching her hands under her head "huh strange, I thought for sure we have an even number of students..." she said that quiet slowly, audible by only few who pay attention.

That's when Daisuke raises his hand "here Sensei, I can be Kitahara san's partner" he volunteers.

Both Mizuki and Hirase were quite surprised by his statement. Hirase because she looks like she did not notice Daisuke in the crowd, Mizuki because she never thought Daisuke himself would try to approach her in class in front of others.
"Ahh Kishimoto san! Uh yes, you can take your seat next to her"

Mizuki just confusedly watches as he carries his thing to her table. Not expecting his action, once again his action keeps contradicting her expectation of him.
"Yo Kitahara san! Looking forward to working with you!" A friendly greeting but at the same time very distanced, almost like it's his first time talking to her. Though, for the others in the class it is.

"Uhh yes, likewise..." Not sure how to respond, she's caught in his flow.

He snappily touched her hand briefly and pulls it back before anyone noticing except for Mizuki.
Immediately his voice enters her head
["Act natural, don't grab attention to us"]
his expression still maintains the same friendly momentum he puts on while greeting her earlier. A fake courteous smile. A spiritual wave connection established, now he can talk to her without anyone overhearing them. On the surface, he proceeds to explain to her what the teacher asks them to do but Mizuki's too distracted by the other conversation happening inside her head.

["You're not focusing in class, I won't let you train Reichitsu if you're failing class"] sternly he reminds her in their secret chat.
["I thought you don't like being seen together?"]
Unsatisfied with his behavior, it shows on her face.
["This is a perfectly normal situation so it's fine"]
He explains.
Somewhat relieved to hear that, it answers partly the question distracting her today. But still intrigued.
["So why did you vanished when my mom calls me yesterday?"]
Deflecting the question, he teases.
["Oh, so you want to bring me over to meet your mom? Is this what I think it is?"]

"Whaa-" Mizuki stomps her table as she pull herself further from Daisuke, attracting the class's attention. His tease caught her off guard that she spontaneously reacts even outside their spiritual waves. Slowly she pulls her seat and sit back down, slightly covering her face afterward. Even Daisuke acts all surprised by her action. But on the inside
["What did I tell you about attracting attention..."]

["If you don't like it then stop saying stupid things! Seriously..."]
Responding to that he just silently keep a nonchalant grin as if he did nothing wrong.

["So... A-anyway, about our training this noon..."]
Mizuki looks uncertain.
["I... I don't think I can join you today"]

["Oh? Did you finally decided to give it up?"]