Catalyst

Following Kokona

Info-chan sat in her chair, leaning attentively towards the screen. Her lips were slightly parted and forming a soft smile. No matter how much Ayano tried to seem like an average teenager in high school, there was always something missing. She tried very hard, but if someone cared to watch her, they would notice a distinct lack of awareness. Ayano didn't have the capacity to care for anything but her Senpai. She couldn't make emotional connections to other things or people. Despite all of that, the girl was beginning to grow on her.

However, the action was moving a little slow for her liking.

"Don't worry kids." Info-chan whispered, partially to herself. "Things will get a little more interesting tomorrow."

*****

Osana laid in her bed, gazing at the ceiling. She couldn't see the phone sitting next to her on the sheets, but its presence burned in the back of her head. The school's loner creep had given her her phone number. She couldn't believe that she was going to conspire behind her friend's back with that creep, but the bottom line was that Kokona had to go. That bitch shouldn't have never even blinked in Senpai's direction.

She grabbed her phone before she could chicken out and opened a new chat with Ayano.

I've decided to accept your help.

Moments later, Ayano responded. Did this girl even have a life? I knew you would.

You were going to tell me what you had in mind? Anxiety boiled in Osana's stomach.

I was wondering what you thought she deserves.

Osana stared blankly at the screen for a moment. What did she deserve? Osana never took it upon herself to decide punishment before and she wasn't a big advocate for revenge. However, she couldn't take the chance that someone more confident could beat her to Senpai's heart. She took a deep breath and typed out her message.

I want Kokona to never want to talk to Senpai again. Osana was mildly disgusted by her feelings, but it was too late to take it back now.

It took Ayano longer to respond this time. I have an idea. I happen to have overheard that Kokona has some personal problems causing her to resort to compensated dating to make money. If you can find some proof of her doing this and expose it, then Kokona would be far too embarrassed to speak with anyone, much less Senpai.

You mean she goes around dating older men for money!?!?

That's exactly what I mean. All you have to do is get evidence of her doing it.

I think I can do that.

Good. If you need more help, you have my number.

Osana turned off her phone and laid it on her nightstand. She thought back to dinner with Taeko earlier that night. She thought about how cute her laugh was, even when she was caught with a mouthful of food. Taeko loved to talk about the books she's read lately. Sometimes she would talk about how incredibly they were written and sometimes she would talk about how she would have done it differently if she had written the book.

Osana liked to dream about how happy Taeko would be if she pursued a career in writing or maybe something to do with gardening. She also liked to dream about being there to support her Senpai. It sometimes made her sad that she had forgotten how to be supportive while trying to hide her growing feelings for her childhood friend.