The Girl of No Words

Transfer Student

Ah, high school. The place where every kid between 15 to 18 goes to learn about stuff that can possibly be used in their life after high school. At least, that's how the teachers describe it. I simply view it as a place where kids go every year to "learn" about the same crap over and over again. It gets so tiring. I can hardly even stand it anymore, and I'm only a third year.

I'm Kenji Takahashi. I guess you could just say that I'm a "normal" high school student. You know, one that doesn't stand out too much, but also one that isn't just a random face in the crowd. Since I've been at Okusame High School for three years now, a lot of the students know me; same with the teachers.

I'm not involved in any after-school clubs, either. I find them to be a waste of time: time that could be spent doing homework, or hanging out with friends. Not that I have many friends to hang out with, anyway.

"Kenji!" A voice pulls me out of my thoughts. As I turn next to me, I see the familiar face of my best friend.

"What's up, Ryou?", I respond.

"What were you thinkin' about? I've been trying to get your attention for a long time!"

"Oh, sorry. I was just... thinking." I must've spaced out. There's no way I wouldn't have heard his voice. Not to be rude. He just has that kind of voice, I guess. You know, the one that can attract anyone's attention.

This is Ryou Nakashima. He's been my friend for as long as I can remember; since about the 5th grade. He used to have natural brown hair, but since he dyed it teal-blue, he kind of became... a rebel. Despite this, however, he still kept his kind personality. Believe it or not, he actually used to be really shy. Now? Now he talks to everyone like he's friends with them. Some people find it charming, others find it a bit annoying.

"Thinkin' about what?" He looks at me suspiciously.

"Dude, seriously? Can't you think about something else for once!?" While he's a really nice guy, all he thinks about is girls. Though, I feel like that's how a lot of high school boys are. Me, on the other hand, I'm not really into that kind of stuff.

Ryou lets out a laugh.

"What? Did I say something?"

"... Nah. You're just so gullible sometimes, Kenji." He smiles wide from ear-to-ear. This was the smile Ryou always used.

"Well, we should be getting to class. It's starting soon," I say, smiling back.

"Oh, alright. I guess I can fit school into my schedule."

There he goes again, with his "schedule" excuse. He always uses that to get out of certain situations. For example, if someone wanted to hang out with him, he might say he has a "busy schedule"; when, in reality, he's either just slacking off or pranking teachers with his friends.

"Well, come on, Ryou. It's not gonna do any good just standing here." Seeing as Ryou was distracted by something, I started to walk away, hoping to redirect his attention. And it worked. Almost as soon as I started walking, Ryou called for me to wait.

"You weren't gonna leave me behind, were ya, Kenji?", he asks, running up to my side.

"I was thinking about it. You hate school and everything, so I thought, what difference does it make if I leave him here or not?"

Then I suddenly feel a pain in my right shoulder. Ryou had punched my shoulder, a friendly gesture he used pretty often with close friends.

The two of us run into our classroom: Class 2-3. It was on the second floor, with a view of the courtyard between the two school buildings. The P.E. classes are always out there; unless it's raining, that is. And I have the desk right by the window in the back, so it's a pretty good view. Ryou is jealous of my seat, though. He always wants me to sneak pictures of the girls outside, since I'm the least-likeliest of the students by the windows to get caught doing it. Ryou has some weird fetishes.