『Entangled Stars』;「運命」┇akane a. x aoi. a au

chapter x: 7th apparition's suggestion

10: "7th Apparition's Suggestion"
示唆 / 公算

The time spent without her past like a blur.

Leaning against the window sill inside the empty classroom, he watched the students on the grass fields that were all preoccupied with their own worlds. Slowly his head started getting flooded again with various contemplations.

Yet despite the overwhelming amount of thoughts, he felt his heart crumble a little as the only conclusion he ends up with is that he has no idea what's happening. But still, somehow, he felt like there was something missing within his soul.

BOGSSH!!

Suddenly his internal crisis was interrupted due to a loud noise coming from the door. His crimson galaxies met a brunette with turquoise galaxies looking back at him behind transparent lenses.

"We've been looking for you." Mei quickly trailed towards Akane and pulled his hand as they both made their way out of the room.

"Why?" Feeling like he doesn't even have the energy to do anything, Akane let the girl pull him to a destination he doesn't even know.

"Geez, you're like a zombie! You look even more un-alive than me." Mei remarked before she answer his question. "Anyways, No. 7 had something to say so he announced a meeting for all the apparitions."

"Is that so?" He said.

"Yep. But for some reason, he wouldn't start without you. So I felt like, it mainly had something to do with you and the incident three weeks ago." Mei's words struck something inside him.

"Wait what?!"

Before he could respond, they both already arrived in front of Tsuchigomori-Sensei's office.

Pushing the rectangular wood out of the way, he's greeted with the view of the people inside the room whose small discussion seemed to have paused the moment Akane was in sight.

"Finally, you're here!"

A dark-haired ghost floated towards him. The corners of its lips showed a smile but there was a strange emotion reflected from its crimson irises. As Mei and Akane completely entered the room, Hanako stood on top of the table in the middle also twirling in the process.

Akane couldn't hide his heavy sigh the moment he figured out what that strange emotion exactly was. It was curiosity.

"Well let's start!" The black-haired boy beamed as it clapped. But, everyone in the room felt a lingering feeling that it was full of malice for some reason.

"Akane Aoi, listen! The truth is I don't want to ask you what happened these past few weeks. Your unmotivated reaction was already enough for me to have an idea." 

Then why does he want me here? The crimson-haired male felt his eyebrows furrow as he stared at the ghost speaking in a mysterious-like manner all of a sudden. Slowly yet noticeably, the cool wind entered the old opened windows making everyone's hairs sway a little matching the atmosphere.

As the whole room gets succumbed to a cool atmosphere, he was more focused on the growing feeling within his system. What is it? Anticipation? Determination?

"But rather, I could provide assistance on dealing with that growing desire within you. . ." The black-haired boy's lips move upward.

"Hanako. . ." Tsuchigomori-Sensei suddenly mentioned the name of the 7th apparition but it was in a warning manner. Akane felt confused but there was a silent burst of interest when he noticed this. All he could focus on was the context of Hanako's words.

"It's the desire to make a change in something, right?"

Slowly Akane felt his head move on its own, and he nodded. His whole system agrees with what the 7th spirit is saying. The context of his words does not appear clear in his head yet. But somehow a force keeps pulling him to listen and well. . .

agree to the said apparition.

"Yes, I want to see her again."

"Of course, you could do that!

"HANAKO!"

Everyone quickly switched their attention to Tsuchigomori-sensei who suddenly shouted. He was massaging his temple with gritted teeth. He sighed and said.

"I can't believe you."

"Well, I wasn't exactly talking to you, Sensei." The 7th apparition countered.

The teacher ignored the statement of the ghost boy and looked straight at Akane. His shoulders tensed the moment the saw the rising determination within the young boy's crimson irises. "Listen Aoi, there is a reason why-why. . .why." Tsuchigomori-sensei looked around, trying to find the right words to say.

"Why?" Akane-kun's eyebrows furrowed.

"Why what that idiot just said shouldn't even be considered as a solution in the first place! Because it's just ––you just can't. " He continued.

"How can you say that when I haven't even tried it? All of you here know the extent of what I'll do for her, right? I'll do anything." Akane said without hesitation.

Mei then asked. "To the extent of completely risking your life?"

He chucked airly, "Something like that shouldn't even be a surprise." With irises glowing in crimson hues, Akane raised his chin and faced the teacher who made his way to his side of the room. Tsuchigmori-sensei then held both the boy's shoulders firmly.

"Listen, Akane. I'll tell you now, even the solution in sentence form sounds ridiculous. No matter how it's rephrased or even just said in simple words. In just one listen, it already sounds impossible." The teacher explained.

"What exactly is it? Do I have to do something?"

The confusion started filling his system. The atmosphere was gloomy and everyone's eyes is passive. But right after asked that the black-haired ghost floated towards him.

With a Cheshire cat-like smile, he answered the confused male's question.

"You need to catch a shooting star."