Standing like a statue against the cold brick wall, arms clenched tight across her chest, the girl in front of me lifted her chin with an almost imperious calm. Her raven-black hair shimmered under the streetlamp, each strand alive with hidden power, and her eyes - those fathomless, obsidian pools, locked onto me as if they could peel away every secret I'd ever buried. The twitch of her cat ears sent a shiver down my spine, turning the ordinary night into something uncanny.
Another demi-human, huh? First Yukinoshita, now this silent enchantress…
"I- I'm Komi Shouko," she whispered, voice barely more than a breath yet perfectly enunciated. She fished a pen and notebook from her bag. With fluid grace she scribbled two sentences and lifted the page for my eyes alone:
"I know we haven't spoken much, but I've noticed you. There's something about you that feels familiar, like a memory I can't quite grasp."
I felt a mix of curiosity and disbelief. Hah? Something about me seems familiar? This isn't a novel romance shoujo game you know!
I looked at Komi, my curiosity piqued. "From a memory?" I repeated, my voice tinged with skepticism. "Uh... You mean like a past life or something?"
If it was me from yesterday hearing this I would probably just curse her and threaten her to never follow me again. But the talks I had with Ms. White Oni Alya kinda changed me in a way i couldn't expect. In a way i'm glad that those conversations helped...
She doesn't talk much does she? Social anxiety maybe? How does a girl as pretty as her isn't a extrovert? I want to ask her about it, but I think I shouldn't. Some secrets are better left unheard.
Komi's jaw tensed before she nodded slowly. She wrote again: "Yes, like a past life. I've had dreams that replay with perfect clarity. And in those dreams… you were there." A faint flush colored her cheeks as she lowered the notebook, hiding half her face.
Kawai. Very nice.
"Dreams can be lies," I blurted, trying to sound unmoved
"Maybe they're real. Maybe in another time, another world, we were-"
But I cut her off. "It's late. Let's talk another time. You live close?" My voice was steadier than I felt.
My social interaction meter is already too low. Need to recharge. If I keep the conversation going i'll die from a overdose of extroversion.
Komi looked at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and something more profound. She nodded gently, her cat ears twitching slightly as she wrote in her notebook.
"Thank you, I would like that," it read. "I live a few streets over, not too far from here."
I nodded "Alright, let's go then," I said, my voice steady and calm. We started walking side by side, the evening air around us cool and crisp. The streets were quiet, the hustle and bustle of the day giving way to the serene calm of the night.
Side by side, we walked down empty lanes. The night air felt pleasing around us, silence with unspoken promise. Every time I glanced her way, her eyes met mine and she offered the tiniest, trembling smile.
"Thank you for walking me home," Komi wrote in her notebook, her words a silent promise of companionship and understanding.
"It's no problem," I said, my voice tinged with sincerity. "We can talk more in another day, if you'd like."
Her ears twitched, and she scrawled one last line: "I would like that." Then, with a soft breath, she stammered the words aloud, "A-and… can I get your Line contact?" Her cheeks burned pink.
I refus- That would be too damaging for a girl like her. Me from yesterday would of just slapped her in the face. My body is more honest than my brain.
"I don't usually share my contact info," I said, voice low. "But… okay." I handed her my phone. Our fingers brushed, electricity.
Komi's eyes lit up with a soft glow, and she nodded eagerly, her cat ears twitching with excitement. She quickly took her phone, I gave her mine and she added me. She returned the phone to me and in that process we slighty touched hands. I felt a strange sense of connection as I did so.
Mh... Weird.
"Thank you, Aiko," - she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with genuine gratitude: "I'll message you later."
I nodded: "Sure. I'll talk to you later."
I think i'll block her.
As we reached her street, Komi turned to me, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion. She wrote in her notebook, her words careful and heartfelt.
"Goodnight, Aiko," - it read: "Thank you for today."
"Goodnight, uh... Komi" - I said, my voice steady and calm.
And with that, I turned and headed home, the night around me a canvas of quiet and calm, my heart a little lighter than before.
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3ND POV
As Komi Shouko and Aiko parted ways, Komi turned to walk home, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. The interaction with Aiko had left her with a sense of warmth and connection, something she hadn't felt in what seemed like ages. She glanced back once more, watching Aiko disappear around the corner, before turning her attention to the path ahead.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure stood in the shadows, watching their interaction with a keen eye. Komi Shuuko, Komi Shouko's mother, had been on her way home from an evening errand when she spotted her daughter walking alongside a tall young man. She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed the scene, a mix of surprise and curiosity flickering across her face.
Komi Shuuko had always been protective of her daughter, especially given Shouko's quiet and reserved nature. Seeing her now, walking and seemingly comfortable in the presence of someone else, was a sight that stirred a range of emotions within her. She watched as Shouko occasionally wrote in her notebook, handing it to Aiko, who would read and respond with a nod or with words.
As they approached the end of the street, Komi Shouko turned to Aiko, her notebook in hand. But afterwards she saw her daughter lowering the notebook and... start speaking!?
"She- she's speaking!?"
Komi Shuuko felt a lump form in her throat, a mix of pride and concern welling up within her. She had always hoped that Shouko would find someone who could see beyond her silence, someone who could appreciate the depth and beauty of her soul. And here, in the quiet of the evening, it seemed as though maybe that hope was taking shape...
With a gentle smile, Komi Shuuko stepped out of the shadows, her heart filled with warmth and curiosity. She walked towards her daughter, her steps light and her eyes reflecting a depth of love and wonder. As she approached, Komi Shouko turned to her, her eyes bright and her expression soft.
"Mother," Komi Shouko greeted, her voice barely above a whisper
Komi Shuuko nodded, her eyes reflecting a sense of hope and warmth. "Who was that, Shouko?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with a gentle concern. Whoever dares to hurt my daughter will be thought a lesson by me!
Komi Shouko looked at her mother, her eyes reflecting a sense of peace and connection. She wrote in her notebook, her words careful and heartfelt. "A friend, Mother," it read: "A real friend"
Komi Shuuko nodded, her eyes reflecting a sense of hope and warmth. She placed a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder, her touch a silent promise of support and love. "I'm glad, Shouko," - she said, her voice steady and calm: "I'm glad you a found friend."
Shouko nodded slighty.
And so, mother and daughter walked home. As they walked, Komi Shuuko chattered away, filling the silence with her lively stories and questions, her heart filled with joy and curiosity.
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MC POV
"Ah~ Finally home!" I exclaimed to the empty room, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet space. The freedom of being alone, of not having to engage or interact with anyone, was a balm to my weary soul. I walked into the kitchen, my mind already racing with thoughts of the simple dinner I would prepare.
With dinner simmering on the stove, I moved to the living room and turned on my gaming console. The familiar startup screen greeted me, and I couldn't help but smile. Gaming was my escape, a way to immerse myself in worlds where I could be anyone, do anything. It was a stark contrast to the complexities and uncertainties of my real life.
As I played, I felt my social meter slowly recharge, the solitude and the virtual adventures filling me with a sense of peace and contentment.
As I sat down to enjoy the dinner I had prepared, the aroma of the food filled the room, creating a cozy and comforting atmosphere. The first bite was always the best, a moment of simple pleasure that grounded me after a long day. I was just about to take that first bite when a sudden knock at the door echoed through the apartment.
I paused, my fork hovering over the plate, and listened. The knock came again, a little more insistent this time. With a sigh, I put down my fork and stood up, walking to the door with a slight annoyance at the interruption.
I opened the door. Standing there was a girl who looked like she had stepped out of a dream. She had long, flowing hair that shimmered like gold in the light, and her eyes were a striking shade of blue, clear and bright like a summer sky. Her features were delicate and soft, giving her an ethereal, almost angelic appearance. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit that seemed to complement her gentle demeanor.
"Hello," she said softly, her voice like a gentle melody. "I'm Shiina Mahiru, your new neighbor. I just moved in next door and I wanted to indrotuce myself."
"Uh, hello," I managed to say, nodding a little bit. "I'm Aizawa Aiko. Do you need help with something?"
Say no, say no please.
Mahiru shook her head gently, her eyes reflecting kindness. "Oh no, I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner. I just thought it would be nice to say hello."
I felt a slight relief. "Well, thanks for stopping by. It's nice to meet you."
They stood in awkward silence for a moment before Mahiru spoke again. "I heard this is a nice neighborhood. I'll be studying at Sobu High School."
My eyes widened slightly at the mention of the school. "Sobu High? That's where I go too."
Mahiru's face lit up with a warm smile. "Really? That's a pleasant coincidence! Maybe we can walk to school together sometime."
I hesitated. He wasn't used to such quick connections, but considering what happened today...: "Yeah, maybe," he said, trying to sound casual.
Damn, a walking buddy. The only time i'm alone is in my house. What a pain.
I stood at the door, silently still processing the unexpected information.
"Since we'll be going to the same school, maybe it would be easier to stay in touch," Mahiru suggested, her voice gentle yet confident. "Would you like to exchange Line contacts?"
I hesitated for a moment, considering the implications: "Sure, why not," - he replied, trying to sound casual.
We both took out our phones, and I watched as Mahiru's fingers danced across the screen, sending me a contact request. A moment later, my phone buzzed with the notification. I accepted the request, and she showed a brief yet beatiful smile.
"There, now we can message each other," Mahiru said, her eyes reflecting a warmth that made Aiko feel a strange sense of comfort. A true angel. Makes you feel safe with just her smile.
"Yeah," - I replied, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "It was nice meeting you, uh... ."
"Call me Mahiru" - she responded with a sweet smile.
I hesitate for a little bit: "It was nice meeting you, Mahiru."
"Likewise, Aiko," she said, her voice soft yet sincere. "I'll see you around."
With a final wave, Mahiru turned and walked back to her apartment, leaving mestanding in the doorway. I closed the door and returned to my dinner, my mind buzzing with thoughts of the new connection he had just made.
As I sat down to eat, I couldn't help but glance at my phone, noticing the new contacts in my Line app. Alya. Yukinoshita Yukino. Komi Shouko. Shiina Mahiru. My pulse hammered. The old me would've fled in horror. But now… four new friends. Four threads pulling me from solitude.
Wait... Yukinoshita? Yukinoshita... No way? Is she the sister of Haruno?
I'm not going to die tomorrow, am I?
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Thanks for reading. Only the MC will have a his own POV, for the rest, i'll just do a 3ND POV. Easier to lay out the feelings of the characters that way. For meatleast. You can also give me ideas for the future or pinpoint plot holes that I may have forgotten, if you want.