Catalyst

Girls

People always told Taeko that she didn't have to listen to Osana. After all, they say, she wasn't a very good friend. But Taeko didn't mind her. She had known Osana since she was five. She only got into this argumentative phase when they started high school. Taeko knew there was still that sweet little girl underneath.

It was almost time for class again and Osana was walking with Taeko, her usual cute pouty expression pulling at her face. Taeko supposed this huffy persona was her version of growing up. When they were little, Osana was even more submissive than Taeko. Now she had hard opinions on almost everything, like she always thought grown-ups did. Taeko was proud of her anyway. She was trying so very hard to learn.

"You know, I think that it's really not that hard to find out who that creepy girl is." Osana commented in her high, sharp tones. "I mean, everyone knows about her. And it's not that hard to get her number. Not that I want it though! Anyone who even thinks about talking to her is majorly icky!"

Taeko didn't know very much about the school's infamous blackmailer. All she's ever heard has come from Osana, and that girl would accept any rumor as fact.

"They say Info-chan is...is like you!" Osana continued. "That's why she's so interested in pictures of girls' underwear."

Taeko was confused. "Like me?"

"Y-you know! Y-you...girls!"

"What?"

"She likes girls, dummy!"

"There's no need to say it like that," Taeko whispered, blushing furiously. Besides, she didn't want to be compared to someone who sells panty shots. "The way you say it just makes it awkward!"

"I can say it however I want." Osana pouted.

Taeko dropped it, knowing how Osana had to be handled.

Class started no different than usual. Taeko was relaxed, but diligent with her work. If she happened to finish early, she would pull out a book. Most of the popular girls read manga, but Taeko could never get into it. About half way through, she felt a slight sense of unease. She was sure it was nothing and attempted to brush it off. No such luck. She glanced up from her book. Nothing on the right. On the left, a plain looking girl quickly flicked her eyes back to her studies.

Taeko blinked. That was weird. She let her gaze linger a few seconds longer. She had noticed this girl around before, but she didn't think much of her. She was nondescript in nearly every way; black hair, grey eyes, average height, weight, and bust size. The only thing that stood out about her was a grim determination that usually wasn't associated with school work. Taeko looked back to her book. Why was that girl staring? Was she trying to copy her work? Taeko flipped over her papers just in case. She tried to ignore her for the rest of the class.

*****

Sparks were flying in Ayano's brain. Senpai was looking at her. Granted, it was only for a few seconds, but it was the longest she ever looked at her for. Ayano knew it wasn't much, but it felt like an incredible step forward. A warm, expanding feeling filled her chest. By now she could recognize this feeling as love. The more she felt it, the more obsessed she became with her Senpai. Over the course of last week, she had gotten bolder in her stalking attempts. She followed Senpai closer and closer. One time she got so close she could almost reach out and touch her hair. She had always wanted to touch it while it was still attached to her head. Ayano had a lock of it at home, and it smelled amazing. At some point she needed to get ahold of some of the shampoo that Senpai uses.

Ayano was snapped out of her Senpai daydream by the bell. Senpai got up and passed Ayano on her way to the door. Ayano fought the impulse to grab her arm. Her skin looked so nice today. It caught the sun from the window perfectly. Ayano briefly wondered how it tasted.

Again, Ayano's perfect moment was ruined by Osana-chan. That stupid whore met up with Senpai just outside the door and handed her a scrub brush for cleaning time. Their fingertips touched, just a bit, but it was almost enough to send Ayano over the edge.

Ayano's phone alerted her to a text. Info-chan. What did she want?

You might want to be a bit more perceptive if you want to keep your Senpai.

What do you mean?

Why don't you have a look around the corner.

Ayano got out of her desk as calmly as she could and did as Info-chan suggested. A girl with purple hair was covertly watching her Senpai from a distance. Her face was colored red and her hand rested on one of her enormous breasts. Ayano fumed silently. It looked like Senpai was more popular than she previously thought.

She snapped a picture of the girl's face with her phone camera and sent it to Info-chan.

Who is she?

Kokona Haruka. She is one of Senpai's many suitors.

There are still some that I don't know about?

Yes. Your Senpai is incredibly desirable.

It looked like Ayano would have to deal with more people than she thought. She looked back at Osana. One at a time though.