The Shadow Manipulator

Chapter 5: Shadow Bind

Lunch break...

It's finally here! What a long day! Phew! I sighed in relief, taking out my lunchbox and laying it on my desk.

"Oi~ how did you do that, Hikari?" Sekai Totsuke, one of my classmates, nudged me. The sneer on his face became more evident the more I look on his face. "And how long have you known each other, huh? You seem pretty closeeee~ " He dragged on, annoying the hell out of me.

"Stop it, We've only met yesterday," I answered, growling. "And she can hear you, you know."

Suddenly, Mitsumi stood up, clenching her fists. One moment she was standing beside me, the next moment, she was storming out the classroom with an intense look on her face. I had no idea what caused it but it's probably due to my exchange with Sekai.

"Now you've done it!" I glared at him.

I didn't have the resolve to go out and chase Mitsumi so I just stayed in my seat like an awkward person. I mean, we just met today. Should I go after her? I asked myself.

In the end, I decided to gulp down my food and chase Mitsumi after. She must've been holding her embarrassment in. I thought. That's right, I'm an embarrassment for as long as I could remember...

...I should probably apologize to her...

Turning my anger towards Sekai, I accidentally swallowed a great deal of food, choking on it. I tried to push it down by pounding on my chest, but to no avail. I coughed and choked but it wasn't working. I almost always forget to bring my water bottle to school since I've always been reliant on the vending machines.

Now of all times?! I panicked, after realizing that my money was robbed yesterday and I didn't have the option of getting a drink from the vending machines.

"Here."

As I was nearing death due to choking, Mitsumi handed me a coffee drink. "I didn't know what you like so I just bought the drink that everyone's been drinking near the vending machine."

"Whew, thanks Mitsumi," I told her. "You saved my life." I quickly opened the can and drank. "I'll pay you back later, once I get my next month's allowance. Sorry." I apologized to her. She probably didn't know what happened after she ran off from the thief. My month's allowance was wiped out...

... Well, it was my fault that happened anyway.

"No, I should probably be the one thanking you, you lost all your money because of me the other day." She responded.

"Whoa there, Hikari." Sekai Totsuke butted in our conversation. Why are you still here? I thought. "You said you only met her yesterday, but you already went out with her the other day, what was that all about." He whispered.

I didn't mind him as I continued eating. It's a long story, probably not worth telling anyone. I said to myself.

"He met me at the love bridge the other day," Mitsumi answered his question, apparently overhearing Sekai's whisper.

"Whoa!" Sekai nudged my shoulder, he was probably thinking that I confessed to her right after meeting her at that moment.

I quickly grabbed Mitsumi and whispered at her ear. "Don't tell him about what happened at the bridge, okay. Just tell anyone who asks that we just happened to meet each other there." I told her. And please, no more misunderstandings! I thought to myself.

"Unh." She nodded. "If that's what you want."

"So, by the way, Hikari, why are you calling each other on a first-name basis?" Sekai Totsuke asked.