Absent Student | KomaHina

Chapter 4

We reached the living room, he pointed at a couch and told me that I could sit there, so I did and he joined me in that. The couch was pretty close to a fireplace so it was very warm and nice. Soon I started feeling a bit more at ease. "So.. for what reason are you here..?" he tilted his head yet again. His eyes were stuck on the floor though. "Did someone force you to come here?" His voice came off as harsh.

"What do you mean..?" I frowned. "I was just passing by, as I said. I moved to this town a few weeks ago.. I went outside for a little walk and somehow ended up here." I laughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry, if I'm troubling you.." I blurred out my worries out rather unconsciously.

"N-no! Don't apologize me.. It's okay.." he blushed. "You're very kind.." he brushed his hand through his hair, his eyes were still focused on the floor as he probably didn't want to have any eye contact with me. "You shouldn't bother yourself to be kind to trash like me.. It's just a waste of time anyway." his face darkened, however, he forced himself to smile. Well.. it would look like a normal smile to everyone but I tend to fake smiling on daily basis, so I've learned how to recognize when someone fakes it as the side effect.

This guy for sure looks like a mystery itself. To call himself trash.. he's probably more interesting than any of my classmates, excluding the absent one, since Komaeda made a pretty big impression on me. Even though I haven't met him yet.

"Well.. I'm not that kind, really." I chuckled. I didn't really know how should I respond to that. "Can I ask you one question?" he nodded hesitantly. "I'm quite curious about something.." I said while pondering. "Are you by any chance the person who takes care about all of those beautiful plants in the garden?" his eyes became livelier and cheeks tinted with some pink.

"Oh yes! Indeed~" he finally looked into my eyes. His smile was really breathtaking. He really loves taking care of plants, doesn't he?

After that question atmosphere became way more pleasant. We started talking about some random things without any awkwardness between us. I learned that we have a similar taste when it came to books, actually we even share our favourite one. This guy has also an uncommon tendency to talk about himself badly, but seems like an awesome person! Even though we know each other for no more than an hour, I feel sad when he tells bad things about himself. That reminds me.. I don't know his name yet, do I?

"...and, you know-" I sneezed loudly all of sudden. "Are you alright..?" he asked with concern.

"Y-yeah.. " I sneezed once again. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern.." I smiled warmly. It's weird. His concern made me very happy.

"Oh! I have a great idea.." he clapped. Oh, I wonder what he's so excited for. "Huh?" I frowned. "What-" a thunder's roar and sudden breakout interrupted me. Everything around me became pitch black. I couldn't see anything excluding the moment when the sky was brightened by some stunning thunderbolts.

"Whoa~" if I saw him, he probably would have eyes widely opened in excitement, that's how imagined his expression at least. "So beautiful.." he said softly in admiration.

I laughed quietly to not disturb him. He sounded like a kid to me which was seeing a storm for the very first time. Well.. I can agree that it indeed looks beautiful, but as long as the storm lasts, I can't really go home safely. Not that I really wanted to go back there... there is a slight possibility that my dad actually realized that I ran away. He's always very strict towards me, but when he gets mad.. well.. let's just say my free time doesn't exist anymore.

"What was your idea, by the way..?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Oh. I totally forgot about it." he laughed carefreely. "Give me a second~" he said with a melodic voice. "I'll be right back." I heard as he stood up from the couch and then some light footsteps getting quieter and quieter step by step. I wonder, how is he able to see in such darkness? I'd most likely trip over already even while standing up.