"Sorry, I have to leave early. I'll come to play with you guys again another day."
"Ah, see you later then, Ayato-kun!"
• ───────────────── •
Slowly making my way through the plain, mundane schoolyard, I looked around at the setting. Now that I looked at it more clearly... it was not much different from the facility I once stayed in. Technically, the school was much more appealing, with entertainment, modern buildings and a grand sports centre. However, fundamentally, it was no different from the Ideal Human Project.
A facility which used students as sacrifices, there's only so much originality you can add to it. In the end, it's a place that breeds fear in the hearts of those who reside there. Because when there is the risk of being disposed of, there's no place one can feel safe.
That is the fundamental theory of such schools.
Walking around the corner, I was greeted by the ghostly atmosphere of the dark backside of the building. The usually-green grass was shaded, tanning it in a much darker tone. Sitting by herself, huddled up against the wall, was the young girl. I could hear the gentle sobbing coming from under her arms.
***
"People who lack interpersonal skills always struggle to understand complex relationships. This fear is what pushes them away from others."
"...w-what... who are you...?"
"You know what I mean, right? I'll help you. I'll give you a simple relationship."
"...what do you mean...?"
"I ask you to do something, and you do it. It's very easy to understand. In return, you can feel as if you have a bond with me."
"T-that... sounds terrible... that's not how friendships are meant to work..."
"Who said that this was a friendship. It's much simpler than that. You're my tool. That should be good enough for you at the moment."
"No... I'm going to be expelled anyways... just... leave me alone."
"Don't worry. You won't be expelled. Your skills are useful to me. As long as you keep it that way, you'll never be expelled."
"Huh...? What... I don't..."
"If you accept my conditions, then I'll help you. You're looking for someone to save you, aren't you?"
"Haa... I don't even know who you are... my expulsion is already set in stone. Go find someone else to fulfil your fantasies for you."
__________________________________________
"I have an Immunity for you."
__________________________________________
"Huh...?! What do you mean... why would you go that far...?"
She was peeking at me from under her arms. Lightly, I walked closer and grabbed her wrist. Pulling it away from her face, I revealed her sad, hopeless eyes. With tears streaming down her face, she looked at me with a completely blank expression.
"It's simple. You're useful to me. As such, I'll protect you."
"How... have we met before...?"
"That's something for you to figure out in the future. For now, I want you to stand up."
Holding her hand, I pulled her to her feet. She continued to lean against the wall, but it seemed that life had returned to her body. In her eyes, there was now a glimmer of hope—just as I had wanted. She didn't look me in the eyes, but I had gained her interest.
"I've already transferred the Immunity to you."
She opened her phone. In pure astonishment, she looked at the email that had been sent to her. Rereading it several times, she confirmed its details. Her eyes were wide open, confused... but most of all, relieved.
I turned around and walked away.
Suddenly, she ran up behind me and grabbed my arm.
"W-who... are you...? I-I don't get it..."
"You'll naturally find out when you have to. For now, go back to your room and get some rest. I've got a job for you tomorrow."
***
***
• ───────────────── •
(Several hours prior)
The truth is that I also don't know the conditions for a friendship. It's defined in a way that I'm unfamiliar with. As such, I never think of my relationships as friendships.
To be completely honest, I have no interest in ever finding out. In the end, I'm just here to live out a life as normal as I can get. The truth is, ever since even before joining the Ideal Human Project, I've never had aspirations or desires.
This want for a normal life comes from no personal desire of mine.
It's more like... an obligation.
***
"Why have you called me here, Mizuhara-kun?"
I was standing in a discreet area of the classroom building with the teacher. There was no one around, although I didn't necessarily need this privacy. The silence was thick but not overwhelming, colouring the background.
"How much for an Immunity?"
"Huh? What do you need that for?"
"It doesn't matter, does it?"
"Well, I guess not. I'll do it for 50,000 points."
"Shouldn't it be lower since we're not in the middle of a special exam?"
"That's the reason why it's not 100,000 points."
There was an eerie silence as I considered some of my options on what to do at this moment. I couldn't afford it, even for 50,000 points, so I needed some compromises.
"Is it transferable between students?"
"Yes, you can transfer it on Preseqta. Be warned; it has a two-hour transfer window."
"How long does it last?"
"Indefinitely."
ƥαṇdα- ηθνε|·ƈθm I guess I could try this.
"Can you give it to me for less in exchange for adding a time limit on it."
"I'll do 30,000 points with a one-month limit."
"What can you do for 20,000 points?"
"Well, I suppose I could do 20,000 points for a seven-day limit, although I'm sure that you wouldn't w—"
"Done."
Looking at me with a surprised expression, she appeared visibly confused. Taking her phone out of her pocket, she began sorting out some of the logistics. Since she had given the offer, there was no taking it back.
"Just out of curiosity, what are you planning on doing? Are you planning some sort of self-destructive activity? because you can still be expelled for breaking school rules."
***
"Don't worry about it."
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