March 19th.

One day left until the festival. Idly speaking, the days have been progressing far too normal without anything remarkable happening.

However, something that I wasn't expecting was about to happen.

"Alright, let's head out to the main gymnasium."

Basara-sensei had given us that order shortly without going through the length of telling us why.

"Teach, why though?"

Unable to understand why Basara-sensei had just said that, Kan asked right away, without waiting any further.

"You are all about to see why. Those who do not come will suffer the consequences."

No one in this classroom was dumb to the point of going as far as messing with Basara-sensei when it came down to his consequences.

Thus, we all started to walk out of the classroom and followed Basara-sensei's lead.

One day left until spring. Never have I anticipated a season this much.

Unlike the majority, I decided to walk slower and appreciate the outside scenery where I could observe the rustic trees and feel the sudden embrace of the yet chilly weather.

The fragile morning and semi-clouded sky didn't erupt as a signal of preoccupation but the impertinent ominous radiance from the sun forced me to shield my eyes with my right forearm.

At the same time, while attempting to lay down my forearm, I accidentally hit my wrist into another person's left wrist.

"Watch it."

With twisted eyebrows, Sana looked at me with a rude expression on her face.

"It was just an accident. You were in the way as well."

"How was I in the way though? It was you who clearly bumped your wrist into me."

That was not my point. I never argued that I didn't bump into her because that was actually the case.

Also, Sana, if you were actually not in the way, then would I be able to bump my worst into yours? Think about that one for a bit.

Internal thoughts aside, I attempted to ignore Sana.

"Wait a second. Stay behind from everyone at a good distance. I need to have a conversation with you in private. No one can hear this."

Never before has Sana approached me before so this wasn't much of a coincidence. She's usually sticking with Yulia and Yulia for some reason isn't insisting with me to be by her side right now.

That's far too much of a coincidence altogether, which is why I did as Sana said.

"Good. So, hear me out, Daniel. Yulia has told me about it."

"About what?"

"Your relationship with her, of course. I'm Yulia's friend so it's a given that I know about it."

"..."

I thought that it was supposed to be a secret, Yulia. Yet you went as far as to tell others about it? Then, why would you persist with the idea of keeping it a secret when you never truly intended on following that idea until the end?

As I disappointed myself with this realization, I facepalmed shortly.

"What's with that reaction?! Is there something wrong with me knowing it?"

Sana seems to be disturbed by my lack of emotion in my reaction.

"I don't believe you, Sana. That's all."

First and foremost, there is no guarantee that Sana is telling me the truth. She could very well just be baiting out information out of me for her own personal reasons.

"How valiant. You are honoring your secrecy and Yulia's as well at the same time. Commendable. However, I spoke the truth. I know everything about it. Even the fact that you illegally invaded our dorm, psycho."

This just took a quick turn. Sana went from praising my actions to demoralizing my actions in the same sentence without wasting any time.

Still...

"Are you talking about that time when we invaded the dorm? That was a long time ago. Why are you bringing that up now?"

"No, I remember that time. I'm talking about the time where YOU alone, invaded our dorm just to confess your feelings for Yulia. Brave, romantic and bold. Impressive!"

Are you serious... She actually knows about it... And the worst part is that she's even praising me for it when I don't even feel slightly relieved about that.

"Great... Someone knows about it..."

"Now, don't act like that. I am not opposing your relationship, as a matter of fact, I am supporting it!"

What the hell... Yulia, why the hell did you do this...?

"I appreciate your support... You can go now."

If that's all she wanted to tell me then I understand where she's coming from. Yulia's her friend so she's showing support by supporting our relationship.

Fairly understandable.

"Don't be so rude. While I am supporting your relationship with Yulia, I am supporting Yulia's decision, not yours. And you, are to blame here. Don't you think you are being very selfish right now?"

Sana's speaking so many things that I don't actually care about yet she's looking into me while thinking that I deeply care for Yulia or something.

"I'm being selfish? Maybe that's the case. Thanks for pointing that out."

"Oh my god, what is that attitude? Show some spirit when talking to someone else! Also, let me clarify something. You are being selfish because you aren't showing Yulia the attention she deserves. That's why you have to do exactly that."

I'm aware of my own monochrome and unenthusiastic attitude. But has Sana stopped to think that maybe it's her attitude that's full of spirit and emotion, unlike mine? 

Just because your attitude has characteristics that mine doesn't that shouldn't mean that my attitude immediately deserves to be criticized.

"Sana, do you have a boyfriend? Or someone you like?"

"W-What's with that question!? How does that have anything to do with what I just said!?"

She got quickly embarrassed by my question, probably because it was too unexpected for her.

My point wasn't to flirt though.

"It's important, actually. Because I don't want to hear someone scold me about my relationship choices when that person has little to no romantic experience whatsoever. I understand that you are Yulia's friend and you want to show your support, but the way you are doing it isn't exactly pleasing. So, do you have a boyfriend or did you ever had one?"

"Oh, I see! So that's what's on your mind! Not to worry though. I have plenty of romantic experience and I am far more knowledgeable in this department than anyone else is, which is why you should heed my call."

She literally did not answer my question even after I went through the trouble of expressing why her tendency was off the mark.

"Either way, you have to be there for her more. Ask more personal questions instead of just being physically there for me. For example, what is the number one thing you prioritize when being with Yulia?"

I would like to just tell Sana that her worries are irrelevant due to the fact that I don't really love Yulia like she thinks I do.

However, that would come with double the consequences, therefore, it's not optimal.

"This is way too personal. Why should I tell you this?"

"Oh my god, can you shut it?! Just tell me! I'm even going out of my way to help you yet you treat me like this?!"

"I can't help it! It's too damn personal!"

"I really, really hope you aren't this obnoxious creature in front of Yulia or else I'll break your knees!"

Did she seriously just threatened me with that? Break my knees? Out of all the things? I mean, this isn't to say that having my knees broken is the sweetest thing ever but her temper is extremely short.

"Did you just threatened me?! Also, I'm not. Relax!"

"Oh, good! I was thinking that I would have to resort to other methods outside of persuasion!"

Does Sana actually think that she has something on me? I can literally just flip-flock her brain with a single finger if I wanted to.

"So, tell me!"

"Fine... I kiss her. You got a problem with that?"

"Mhm... Usually no. However, it's annoying that that's your first thought when being around her. Physical contact is nice and all, but in a relationship, you have to listen to your partner's emotions and needs! Smocking and flirting around is ONLY after that!"

Sana's actually correct.

It's not as if I'm a complete numbskull when it comes to the subject of romance. Naturally, I am interested in the idea of being romantically enveloped with another human being that I can accept.

However, I've arrived at the conclusion that it's too much of an effort to actually establish the perfect relationship.

As to why Sana's correct, it's because it's true that listening to your partner's emotions will give you a better understanding of what sort of person you are with. Their problems. How they approach their problems. If they face them or not. Their fears. Their insecurities. Their shortcomings.

"I'll take that into consideration..."

But I just don't care. Not one single bit.

"No, not just into consideration. I want you to do what I just said. You should also be more open about yourself to her. Why are you letting her take all this effort by herself!? It's a relationship which means it's a dual effort, not a singular one!"

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It actually pains me that Sana misunderstands the situation at hand. Her rationale is fundamentally correct, in my opinion.

That's somewhat attractive. I do enjoy rationality, even if it's messy and explosive, which is why I'll go a little further just for the sake of debating the idea further.

"But what if there is a dual effort and yet the effort is far more one-sided than the other side? Let's say that in a relationship, the two individuals put effort, but one puts more effort than the other. What then? Is it worth it to keep the relationship going?"

"Interesting. I think the effort should be equally distributed otherwise it will cause mutual dissatisfaction between both individuals."

"But Sana, why is this possible in the first place? Is it not because of the amount of love the individuals choose to give badly distributed?"

It's intriguing to perceive emotions with logic and rationality. However, based on the way of feeling, it's entirely sporadic.

"Yes, that's why that happens. However, that's because they can't control the amount of love they give to one another. In a very intense relationship, it gets out of control. Which can cause the scenario you have mentioned..."

"In a relationship, which one are you?"

"Are you talking about if I'm the one who gives the most effort?"

I nodded. She got what I meant to say.

"You don't get to know that."

"Why exactly?"

You've asked me something that is technically personal but now you show secrecy despite that behavior you just showed?

You are egoistic.

"Because I have never had someone that I could give my all to. That's why you don't get to know it; because I don't know."

Oh... That's not egoistic then. Sana just put that in a way that is often misinterpreted as egoistic.

"I see. Isn't that sad though?"

"It's my problem and I don't plan on fixing it. My lack of happiness is something that is up to me, not someone else."

I don't necessarily agree with what Sana just said.

"Maybe your lack of happiness strives from the fact that you aren't enough to fill the void. Isn't that why a relationship exists in the first place? For the other part, to fill the other? Like a bottle. You, by yourself, can only reach 50%, but with the correct person, you can reach that 100%, because the other person is partially the other 50% you are missing."

While the bottle example is fairly easy to understand, this doesn't mean that you necessarily need someone else to fill that gap.

The 'self' can be enough, but you have to put your mind into that idea and accept that you, yourself, are enough. Yet, that's the problem. So many self-doubts and insecurities within the 'self' can accumulate to an obtuse point and it will not make this possible.

And...

Why hasn't Sana said anything? She's looking at me like she's in the middle of a daze. Is she daydreaming?

"Hey. You there...?"

"O-Oh! Yeah, I am here! Why would I not be here? I just wasn't expecting it. But, if you know all of this, then why aren't you making Yulia happy?"

That's weird... Why was she dazing for such a long time?

"This is different. This is an idea that I don't mind pursuing. But it's just an idea and it's not really applicable in reality for obvious reasons..."

"Oh, I know what you mean. It's really hard to apply the idea if you don't have the ideal partner... But that still doesn't explain it. Aren't you with Yulia because she's the ideal partner for you? If you have these thoughts about the idea of romance, then why?"

This whole thing aside, we were walking extremely slow, almost to the point of stopping.

In the direction of the main gymnasium which stood in between blocks A and B, it would still be a long walk, which was why, even though we had already crossed block E, our way was still long.

Also, there are a lot of students going in the same way that we are... So many though. The number is absurdly high.

Why is this the case exactly?

"I have my problems. And besides, I have trouble being honest with Yulia for the most part."

"Okay, but why? You love her, so you should be honest to the maximum extent. And your problems should be her problems, just like her problems should be your problems. Don't you agree with this idea?"

Sana's a nice person to talk to. I think that as long as you are able to understand what she wants to talk about that you can conduct and engage with her thoughts and ideas relatively easily.

"Would you just be open about your problems with someone who you have been going out within less than a month?"

"...That's why it's foolish to fall in love too early. After you get to know the person well, you should already know a great deal about the person and these problems don't have to come into play. You're at fault for falling in love far too early. Couldn't you just wait a little bit more?"

That's reasonable, I suppose. By knowing someone for a long time, you have a wider picture of how that person really is and therefore you can create and replicate feelings for that person after knowing what exactly you like about that person.

"Is that what you would do? You would wait such a long time just for the sake of creating the ideal scenario? What if the person you are in love with falls in love with another person in the meantime? You'll just have your heart shattered in pieces."

"This isn't about me, Daniel... It's about Yulia."

Honestly... I wish I could just tell Sana that I want to debate this solely based on her because then I would be able to extract more personal answers and gather some valuable intel.

Sana does share an affinity for rationality regarding this topic.

"So, what's the conclusion you want to reach with all this talk?"

We have been dragging out the main conclusion for quite a while. Spewing these idealistic words won't get us anywhere and Sana's the one who started this.

"I will ask you this in Yulia's steed, but apply all of those thoughts on her."

Impossible.

That would require me to actually care.

You can't force someone to do something that they don't care about while expecting that individual to demonstrate their best intentions and best effort.

"You care a lot about Yulia. I am glad that my loved one has such a good friend."

Sarcastically, I said that. Though, Sana's loyalty and caring for Yulia are impressive nonetheless.

Considering that they have only been friends for a few days, I would say that Sana and Yulia get attached easily.

Naive creatures.

"Yes, Yulia's my precious friend. And... Just for the record, she's been stressed about something. Something that I hope you will never do. You see, Yulia's kind to you. She gives you plenty of space and all that."

Plenty of space? I wish she would elaborate on that. Because I sure can't seem to understand what Sana just attempted to insinuate.

"And by 'something' I mean, cheating. You have to give Yulia the confidence she needs, otherwise, she'll feel anxious about trusting you."

I am lost in confusion. What do girls have against cheating? No, no, I don't support the idea of cheating. I really don't.

Although I'm immoral, cheating is something so trivial that it's not worth the effort. There are plenty of other powerful ways to hurt someone's sentiments outside of cheating.

What I don't understand is why every single one of them thinks that just because their boyfriend is minimally absent that cheating is the number one thing that will happen.

Fuck, is it really that orthodox of a choice to do something outside of being with the one you love?

"Out of curiosity, let me ask you this. Why do you think that's a possibility?"

"Well, Daniel... I and Yulia have been skeptical about your absence during lunchtime. Was that really just a coincidence? Or are you deliberately taking advantage of Yulia's easygoing nature?"

I don't think Sana has the correct picture of Yulia's nature if she's actually serious about what she just said now.

"I am just hanging out with Kawahara and the rest..."

"Ewwwwwwwww.... Kawahara?! What do you see in that arrogant prick with no shame at all!? All he does is curse and yell! You boys are all the same..."

One thing is to strike me down.

Another is to strike down my gender. That, I shall not tolerate.

"You girls are all the same as well. Bitching after bitching. Endless bitching. Whiny and whiny."

"What!? Okay, okay! Listen here, if we are being bitchy then it's for a reason! Therefore, we are logically bitchy, if this made any sense!"

Logically bitchy. I don't think I'm ever forgetting this one. Because no one else in my entire life has argued in defense of this statement before.

"And you boys aren't really that logical. Because you boys act on impulse and we don't. Get the difference now?!"

"Every human being acts on impulse. You are just convinced that boys are inferior because you have witnessed more boys acting on impulse than girls."

It's a common misconception to take past events into influences just because they happened. Thus, it can lead to misunderstandings.

I think both genders are equally impulsive respectively. However, someone that has witnessed one gender act more impulsively than the other will automatically think that that gender is, therefore, more impulsive.

The human brain is so simple.

"That may be the case. Then, I'll change my point. Kawahara is a terrible person and it makes no sense to hang out with him!"

Would Sana believe me if I said that Kawahara is actually somewhat smart? She must view him as some degenerate garbage who can only talk shit and honestly, that's the image he gives.

"That is why I will commend you for being with Yulia the past week instead of hanging out with Kawahara. That is an improvement, And... Lastly, one more thing..."

This conversation was really about to end though.

Because, right now, we stand in front of the multi-purpose gymnasium entrance and Basara-sensei looks ready to give his speech.

"If you cheat on Yulia, it's not Yulia you are going to deal with. It's going to be me."

Leaving those threatening words behind, Sana went on ahead and joined the circle that was being formed outside of the gigantic gymnasium.

Our class was attracting a fair share of attention as the other classes just kept on staring and murmuring to themselves for whatever reason.

Their distances were so far from ours that it was ridiculous to look at this current scenery.

Eventually, I reached the circle and thus, the hitman-suited teacher gave his speech.

"I want every single one of you to behave correctly. Here is how you will behave correctly. Every single one of you will not talk and will only listen. I will hear your doubts later. Whoever breaks this warning of mine will endure the tedious consequences. Feel free to ignore this warning, if you are feeling confident enough though."

Is Basara-sensei a damn sadist?

Why would you give out this warning but then suggest we break it? If this is not sadism, then I don't know what is. Because that's the only reason I can think of right now.

"Sensei, is this regarding the upcoming festival? Is that why there are so many students here? I think this is all the students from school and all the classes. Am I wrong?"

Akimiyashika, curious as to why there were so many students around, briefly asked that.

I said 'were' because the classes were starting to enter the gymnasium, which is obnoxiously massive, otherwise, there is no way that a thousand or so students could fit in.

"Correct, Aki. Furthermore, the principal will be watching everyone and since you fucktards have such a bad record of going to his office all the time, it's not wise to cause an uproar. No matter the reason. Did I make myself clear or do I have to yell louder!?"

"Yes, sir!!!"

Not a single soul from our class missed out on saying that.

Still, I was curious to see what the gymnasium on the inside looks like.

However, my doubts were soon cleared with Basara-sensei taking the lead. Almost alongside him stood Kawahara who was ready to intercept the public.

As a matter of fact, Kawahara waved at the vast number of female students amidst the large crowd of numerous students.

The inside of the gymnasium was fairly empty in terms of structure yet completely filled with a plethora of students. There were rows with an abundant number of chairs just so students could seat on, which means that this was probably already staged.

Considering that there are over a thousand students in this school supposedly, it makes sense as to why there are so many columns with so many seats.

Ultimately, each of us ended up taking a seat in the last row since we were the last class to reach the public gymnasium.

Noticeably, at the end of the gymnasium, at a very, very far away podium, a particularly organized group stood there standing tall.

Also, I took a seat right next to Kawahara shortly.

"Dan, you must've noticed by now, but do you see that group of students all the way up on the podium facing this whole pile of students?"

"Yeah... But they are students too. They have our uniforms. What gives? And just what is this anyway? Why are there so many people here...?"

Kawahara was basking in the attention of so many female students that it was ridiculous. How does one person who can't actually interact with other students get this much attention?

"That's not the important part. Notice those cameras that are pointing at them."

Now that he mentions it... From a considerable distance, there are cameras pointing only at that group in particular.

"Now, take a look at the ceiling. Do you see those wide televisions? That's distributed throughout the whole perimeter just so the students could see what's about to happen. And those cameras will undoubtedly be the connection. Otherwise, people would not hear shit."

"Kawahara, what did I say about speaking?"

"..."

Upon hearing the demon speaking, we both formed quick silence.

Kawahara's point came across loud and clear though. Given our distance and the other classes observing, it would be impossible to hear out the tiny speech that will probably come out from all the way there.

And without wasting any time whatsoever, a striking figure that we all certainly knew by now walked in from the sideline to the podium.

A head so bald with a remarkable debonair suit that would rival Basara-sensei's.

No debate, it was the principal.

As I wondered how everyone in this colossal space would get his image clearly, the televisions were lightened up at the very moment the principal faced the rest of the students.

Furthermore, before speaking, he rose up the mic he most likely already had.

"Greetings, students. It is I, your school principal. On everyone's behalf, I deeply apologize for evoking all of the students from this school into this confined place while classes are supposed to occur."

A loud and high-pitched voice came forward while the principal delivered his apologetic speech first.

The image that the televisions transmitted were visible throughout to anyone in this gymnasium, so it wasn't a problem understanding what the principal was saying.

"With that being said, the reason as to why I summoned all of you is to give you a better cognitive understanding of the upcoming festival and its main rules. I am aware that each teacher has already distributed the essential pieces of information regarding the rules and themes. Nonetheless, this is the ultimate revision before the festival begins. Henceforth, today, which is the last day before the anticipated event, is the most convenient day to portray this message of sincerity and integrity."

Christ, are you sure you don't want to be more formal, mister principal?

My opinion aside, the principal was not yet done speaking from the looks of it.

"However, I am not the one who will pass down this message. I shall leave that responsibility to the most trust-worthy member that I am sure a lot of you already know of! A round of applause for the student council president!"

Naturally, an abysmal and enormous round of applause came forward.

It seems that despite this being an order from the principal himself, the majority was genuinely clapping for this person who was slowly approaching the principal.

For the record, this person was from the same group that Kawahara mentioned earlier.

Also, our whole class did not clap.

As expected.

"Clap, you retards."

Left with no choice but to clap upon hearing the demon's decree, we all awkwardly clapped.

My clapping was sincerely exaggerated.

"Thank you very much, principal. However, I am not worthy of this much praise. I am simply doing my duty, that is all."

Receiving the mic that the principal had handed out to him, a navy-haired tall young man took the principal's place with vigor and determination.

By far, the most noticeable feature would be his stern glasses.

"Wait..."

Have I not crossed this guy before?