The Demon Within

Chapter 2: Something's Wrong...

Mori Fujiwara goes into her classroom and sits on her desk. She notices that Derrick Kawahashi has been absent for 3 days and wonders what has happened to him. Mori decides to call Susan Fujioka, who has her head down, in a low voice. 

"Susan..." 

Susan pulls her head up and and yawns, responding with a groggy voice 

"Could you just... let me sleep? I didn't sleep well with the project our math teacher gave us last night..." 

"Have you seen Derrick? He's been absent for like... 3 days. You live near him right? Can you give him a visit?" 

"I'm gonna bet he went sick..." 

Susan struggles to stay awake and her head falls into the desk. Mori responds one last time. 

"Just visit him after school, okay? Rest well~ we still have 30 minutes before our english teacher arrives." 

30 minutes later, their first teacher of the day arrives. Everyone stands up and greets her in a pleasant manner. 

"Good Morning, Ms. Melina! It's nice to see you again!" 

Melina Yuuki responds in an angelic tone. 

"Thank you! You may sit down." 

"Thank you!" 

The class settles down and they begin their lesson in english. Everyone focuses on the lesson before them but Mori, on the other hand, turns her attention to Timmith Asano, their class representative, that is sitting in the second row. Since Monday, he hasn't participated in class discussions alot and his expression sometimes looks annoyed. Though Susan interrupts her train of thought in a gentle voice. 

"Mori? Stop looking and our president at look into the board, dummy~" 

"Sorry sorry!" 

Mori also decides to put her focus on the lesson before her, putting Timmith's behaviour in the back of her head for now. Everyone writes down important notes while listening to the teacher. This goes on until lunch break comes in. Once the bell rings, Susan's eyes immedietly lit up and asked Mori excitedly. 

"Mori! Wanna head to the cafeteria?" 

Mori, shocked at her enthusiam, responds appreciatively. 

"Sure! You go first, i'll go get my wallet real quick." 

"Okay!" 

As Mori reaches out for her wallet in her bag, she notices that Timmith is gone but she assumed that he also went to the cafeteria. She stands up from her seat and exits the classroom, catching up to Susan in the process. As they enter the cafeteria, they are greeted by the usual crowdy place. Mori and Susan decides to wait in line when someone approaches them. 

"Yo, you two! What'cha buying?" 

Susan and Mori both shriek in response. Susan decides to speak up. 

"Oh Sato-kun! Are you here to buy something too?" 

"Stop calling me Sato-kun, will you? Call me Kenji. I like it that way and yes i'm here to buy something too." 

"Okay!" 

"Also, you haven't answered me... what are you girls buying?" 

Mori also decides to speak up. 

"I'll just buy hot dogs, i guess..." 

Susan responds in an enthusiastic tone 

"Meatballs! What about you, Kenji?" 

"Uhh... i'll just eat my meal that my mother made for me... hehe..." 

Once Susan and Mori have bought what they want, they decide to settle in the seats within the cafeteria and start eating. Suddenly Mori speaks up in a straight forward manner. 

"I've been thinking observing Timmith for sometime now... I think something's wrong with him." 

Susan responds in a sarcastic tone 

"Talk about being a stalker~" 

Kenji responds in a defensive and curious tone 

"Shut up, Susan. Anyway, why do you think so, Mori?" 

"Timmith is not acting like himself... he hasn't participated in class discussions since Monday and i can sometimes catch him looking annoyed... he feels so... different. Speaking of which, have you guys seen Timmith?" 

Kenji and Susan both shrug at the question. 

"No idea, Mori."