Erase

Act 30: The Crush

After the murder of her father and the many circumstances that followed, Shino avoided school for over a month. During the days that followed, Shino went through several ups and downs in her life as a result of being an Erase participant.

However, after multiple attempts at convincing by Mayuka, Shino eventually decided that it was time to return to school.

MONDAY

-Outside the School 8:53 PM-

Monday morning. After a month of absence, Shino steps foot on the Taisho High school grounds once again, with her girlfriend Mayuka by her side, guiding her every step on the way to recovery.

However, Shino still has her doubts.

"Umm... Mayu?" Said Shino.

"Yes, Shino?" Mayuka replied.

"I feel... nervous... It's my first time stepping here after months." Said Shino. "I don't know what to do..."

"There there, don't feel down." Mayuka replied. "After this day, I'm sure you will enjoy school again like you used to do before."

"You sure?" Said Shino.

"Trust me on it." Mayuka replied, smiling and winking at Shino.

To Shino, a smile and a wink from Mayuka is a sign of utmost trust. It signals her that nothing will be wrong, and so Shino mustn't be afraid.

"Okay, if you say so." Said Shino.

Meanwhile, on the back of a tree was a male student. He had a lean build and a somewhat nerdy look, sporting short, slightly unkempt, brown hair and rounded glasses. He wore the standard Taisho High male uniform, which consisted of a white polo shirt, red tie and black slacks.

"Ohh, I swear. Every time she gets near me, I feel like there's butterflies in my stomach..." The student thought. "She so beautiful when up close that... I get speechless."

"That blue and red short 'do... those glasses... her shy demeanor." The student continued. "Shino is so beautiful, especially up close."

"But how do I get closer to her? I'm at the same class, but we barely talk." The student continued. "And whenever I see her outsides school, she's always with that blonde girl from Class 2-A."

"Uggghhhh... No, stop with the negatives, man. Think of the positives." The student continued. "I should just think of a way to get closer to her... yes. Haruki Umino always finds a way."

Eventually, the school bell rang, signifying the start of classes.

"... And now Haruki Umino must find a way to get to class!" Said the student, Haruki, as he rushes to the main building.

A FEW HOURS LATER

-Class 1-C 10:41 PM-

The students of Class 1-C are divided into their IQ groups. Haruki sits extreme left in the second to front row, while Shino, a constant top scorer in tests and exams, sits in far right of the front row, behind Haruki.

Right now, math class is undergoing, and most of the students are... less than enthusiastic about it. Haruki saw this as a perfect opportunity to let Shino know about his presence.

Haruki ripped a page out of his notebook, wrote a little message on it, folded it into a paper plane and threw it toward Shino.

The paper flew around the campus, but when it was about to go near Shino...

As Shino was writing notes, she accidentally drops her pen to the floor.

"Oops, dropped my pen." Said Shino.

Shino proceeded to crouch down in order to pick up her pen, which dropped down on the ground, resulting in the plane flying over her head, completely missing its target and instead landing at the feet of the notoriously stern math teacher Ms. Sumitomo.

Ms. Sumitomo picked up the paper plane and read the message inside it. The message read:

"Hi there ^o^

- Umino"

The bemused look on Ms. Sumitomo's face made it clear that she was not a huge fan of Haruki and his little message.

"UMINO!" Shouted Ms. Sumitomo.

The entire class scrambled together upon hearing Ms. Sumitomo's yell. Haruki had an "oh crap" look in his face.

"Were you the one who made this?!" Said Ms. Sumitomo.

"Uhh... No, no. That was, um, another Umino..." Haruki replied.

Ms. Sumitomo clearly did not like Haruki's response one bit.

"THAT DOES IT!" Shouted Ms. Sumitomo. "You, Umino. After school cleanup! No buts!"

"But..." Haruki replied.

"NO BUTS!" Said Ms. Sumitomo.

As all of this was going on, Shino glances toward Haruki's direction, before going back to her studies.

A FEW HOURS LATER

-Class 1-C 5:03 PM-

Classes have just ended at Taisho High, but because of his little problem with Ms. Sumitomo, Haruki had to stay for after-school cleanup duty.

As the rest of the class were leaving, Shino saw Haruki spitefully mopping the floor of the classroom. Since she had nothing to do today, and Mayuka was off to shop for ingredients with her dads, she figured that maybe she should help Haruki out.

Shino picked up another mop, wet it with water from the bucket and proceeded to mop the floor as well. Haruki was surprised at what he saw.

"Wait... Is that... Shino...?" Haruki thought. "Helping me out...?"

"Ohh, I feel like I just died and gone to heaven!" Haruki continued. "This is the greatest cleanup day ever."

However, watching Shino as she cleaned up the floor, Haruki can't help but notice something odd.

"But... why isn't she... talking to me?" Haruki thought. "Should I go ask her, or...?"

Haruki decided to just keep silent for now and continue to mop the floor alongside Shino. They mopping went on for a few more minutes.

After mopping the floors, Shino took a short breather. It was then that she noticed Haruki.

"Umm..." Said Haruki.

"I know... Ms. Sumitomo is quite high strung." Shino replied. "But, that's just what she is. Sometimes, you just gotta accept that."

"S-Sato...?" Said Haruki. "Is this... for real...?"

"Don't mind me... I'm just helping you out." Shino replied. "I saw what happened. I know it was an accident."

Haruki was speechless, he did not know what to say, so he had to think about the perfect words that he should say to Shino.

But just as he was about to speak, Shino eventually stops mopping the floor, takes a look at her phone, and runs off without a word, leaving Haruki alone again.

"Shino..." Said Haruki.

A FEW HOURS LATER

-Alleyway 6:13 PM-

An hour after dismissal time, Shino was walking alone from school. Mayuka had to decline as she promised to help out her dads with buying ingredients for that night's dinner.

Alomg the way, Shino had to walk through a dark, dimly-lit street. As she crossed the street, Shino can't help but shake off the feeling of being watched.

"I feel like... there's someone watching me." Said Shino.

Shino continued to walk around when suddenly, a mysterious shadowy figure approaches her from behind, and tries to choke her out with a chain. However, Shino quickly dodges the incoming attack.

Shino turns around to see who was assaulting her... and she couldn't believe her eyes.

"It's... you..." Said Shino.

TO BE CONTINUED