We Save Our World (私たちの世界を救います) [Completed]

Part.20 My Peers Now?

I run to the cafe as fast as my legs can take me.
Eventually, I pull the door open and am welcomed with Kou's disappointed gaze and a tackle hug from Arina.
"You're late." Kou states.
"Yeah..." I say awkwardly.
"Come on, we need to get going."
Kou says, tugging on the back of my shirt.
I follow him and we make a run for school.

Ugh! Not more running.

We both dive into first period right before the sound of the bell.

Good, made it on time.

I could tell by the look on Kou's face he was thinking the same thing.
Rushing to my desk, I hope to god the teacher doesn't come in.
I sit down swiftly and set my bag down next to me.
The door slides open and the teacher marches in with purpose.
I breathe a sigh of relief for sitting down before she arrived.
She begins to speak.
"Good morning, class. Today we'll begin our biology segment."
She turns around to the board and begins to scrape a piece of chalk up against it.
I wince at the high pitched sound.
Turning my head to look out the window I notice something written on my desk.
It reads.

Izuna

Hmm?
Who would write her name on the desk?

The sliding door opens after a knock.
"Oh yes, they're here."
The teacher says before putting down the chalk.
I can see her move to the door without looking up.
I move my finger over the name carved into the desk over and over again.
Kou sits right behind me.
He suddenly starts to rapidly tap on my back in a panic.
I turn my head around to him so fast I don't even make eye contact with what's at the front of the room.
"What?"
I asks.
He doesn't even reply he just points.
I follow the length of his arm with my eyes then direct my gaze upward.

Am... I dreaming?
No!
There's no way that there's anyone actually there.
I'm just... Tired.
Yeah that's it.
Because the person I see...

Haruki, Yukiko, Arina, and Hiroto all stand at the front of the classroom.
"Class, we have 4 new students with us today an--. Setsuna? Where have you been!? You've been absent from school for over a month!"
the teacher scolds me. Haruki chuckles.

This couldn't get any worse.

I cast down my eyes.
Kou pats me on the back.
"You too, Kou! Where have the two of you been for a month!?"
She yells at him as well.

What should we say?

Just as we are about to come up with an excuse, Haruki comes to our rescue by asking the teacher a question.
"Excuse me. Where should we sit?"
"Ah, just take any open seats."
She replies.
Just before turning around to go back up front she shoots Kou and I a fatal stare.
Shivers run down my spine.
Haruki comes and takes the seat in front of me.
Yukiko sits next to Kou.
Both Arina and Hiroto finds seats side by side.
I look at Haruki then at Kou and back at Haruki.
All I seem to do is stutter when trying to say something.
Honestly, I myself don't know what I'm trying to say.
"Ms. Miyazaki! Do hush!"
She yells.
"Yes m'am!"
I yell back.
Haruki looks back at me from the corner of his eye, then back down to the desk and laughs under his breath.

Why you!
Is this funny to him?
How on earth could he think this is funny!?

I tap him on the shoulder and he turns his body to face me.
"What?"
He asks plainly.
I whisper back to him.
"What are you doing here!?"
He stares at me.
Then without saying anything he turns back around.
My face begins to distort with anger.

Are!?
You!?
Kidding!?
MEEE!?

I'm tempted to jump up from my seat and shout at him but I resist the urge.
I keep calm and remain sitting but all I can seem to do is tap my foot incessantly.
When the bell for class rings I tell myself all bets are off.
"HAR! I! U! KI! WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
I yell at him.
People look at me like I'm crazy, but I couldn't care less.