The Shadow Manipulator

Chapter 11: The Meeting

Because you have me, Hikari!

Those words reverberated in my mind like a series of echoes in a cold, dark cave. My irritated self finally fled from me as I began to calm down. All this time, I was always thinking of not losing my academic position that I always push myself to get a perfect score in every test and quizzes. (Which I always did... Thinking about it, I think there's nothing wrong with pushing yourself on getting a perfect score.) But now, my thoughts began to change.

That's not the only thing I have. I finally realized it.

(Still, I won't just let him take my academic position that easily!)

My stiff shoulders began to relax, and my pounding heart began to stabilize itself. I sighed in relief, I had been too focused on my self that I even forgot I have a friend like Mitsumi. Who never laughed at my name, and who happened to accept my name.

(Seriously?! All that I could think about at that time was just how she didn't laugh at my name and stuff relating to my name.)

But now I remember...

All because of those words.

Hold on a second?! What do those words mean?! Is that supposed to make me feel better, or to make my heart race to the extent where I could hardly breathe?! With this thought, my heart began to pound harder than before. I'd say that it made me feel better as well.

"Thanks, Mitsumi." That's the only thing that I could say to her. I don't even know how to respond when someone says that!

Mitsumi grabbed my bento box and wrapped it together with hers in the blue scarf. All this time, I was just looking at her in disbelief.

Surprised that she said those words to me.

"Thanks for the food, Hikari." Mitsumi cheerfully said.

"My mom was quite worried since she didn't give you lunch," I told her. "So she made me bring two bento boxes... "

Without me realizing it. I thought.

Although I finally realized that my mom had her ulterior motives for making me bring both our lunch, I feel quite thankful for Mitsumi. I mean, I just had the most delicious lunch that I've ever tasted.

"Sorry I said that, Hikari. Don't take it the wrong way." Sekai denied as he withdrew himself from my presence.

Even when he said that I could sense a huge amount of superiority complex flowing from him. It's like you can detect his smugness a mile away. Saying that with a smirk on his face, who would believe him? Well, sincere or not, I'm glad that he already went away.

Still, I wouldn't back down from my top position here in school. I reminded myself, all the more determined to keep my perfect record.

I mean, don't want my monthly allowance to go back to its original amount! If my grades get low, my dad would probably deduct my monthly allowance. That's the least that might happen to me.

.....

The afternoon class ended quickly without me realizing it.

Time to go home! I said to myself as Mitsumi and I went outside the school building. Wonder if I would take the school bus today? Well, never mind. I guess I should walk for Mitsumi's walking.

The sun was now beginning to set, making the sky glow with a reddish hue. This is the time when our school would look like a painting on a fine canvas. The school, because of its windows, began to give off a warm atmosphere just like the sky above. I looked up, getting a shiver from the gentle breeze as it passed by.