The Defiance of Oka Ruto

Chapter 5 - Octopus

Lunch time had come. This time, Ayano was waiting for Oka on the roof, with a small plate beside her; as Oka got closer, it appeared to be snacks shaped like little octopuses. She smiled weakly at the sight of the plate, mostly lost in her own thoughts.

"Hey, Oka." Ayano chirped. Oka always felt her heart jump a little whenever she was called by name – she simply wasn't used to it. Not even her club members called her by name most of the time... Thinking about it, they never really spoke to her at all.

"Would you like an octopus hot dog?" Ayano continued, offering her the plate, bringing Oka back to reality. "I made them myself."

"Oh, um, yes... please..." Oka mumbled, gingerly picking one up and nibbling on it. It was weird to have something resembling proper food at lunch – usually, she just lived on a diet of melonpan and random cakes and sweets she'd picked up from the bakery en route to school. However, she didn't eat in large amounts, and her lack of sleep contributed to her frail frame. She continued to nibble on the little octopus, much to Ayano's delight.

"Take as many as you like, I've made too many." Ayano said in a friendly tone, crossing her legs and shifting her bag about. "Anyway, you know the Basu sisters?"

Oka nodded in response, sitting up a little as she became slowly more comfortable, taking another snack.

"Well, something is definitely off with them... You listen to them gossip during breaks, right?" Ayano hushed her tone, leaning in a little, ignoring the flush on Oka's cheeks at the shame of being caught. "I decided to listen in too on the way home, and, well... How do they know so much? Have you got any ideas?"

"Maybe... They're in league, with some dark forces..." Oka mumbled, thinking about the strangely surreal air the sisters gave off. Personally, she'd always thought they were working with demons, and she found herself longing for Ayano's guidance on the topic.

Ayano seemed lost in thought for a moment.

"Maybe not dark forces, but... It would make sense if they had some outside information source..." She mused, before her face lit up again and she beamed a grin at Oka. "Thank you so much! You've been really helpful!"

Another flutter of pride. The feeling of being wanted was almost becoming an addiction for Oka.

"Say, Oka... Before we come to my house tonight, do you want to do some investigating?" She continued, a smile playing across her face.

"O-okay... That sounds great, Ayano... Thank you..." Despite her stuttering words, Oka was excited. It was so nice to know she wasn't alone in her suspicion.

She didn't concentrate in any other lesson that day, thinking only of the adventure the evening was going to bring with her new best friend.