CHAPTER 2 Act 3

"Hey, what an astonishing play, huh?"

"..."

It is lunchbreak. The sun is at peak, and the light breeze gives off a cozy feeling. While I'm sitting on a bench someplace in school, which was shadowed by trees, someone simply muddled my silence. However, my movements are not recoiled as if it wasn't out of the ordinary.

I let my guard down for a bit, and this happen.

A girl with long, straight silver hair stood by my side. She's probably in the same year as me. Her presence is as fresh as her scent, despite the fact that we are only a few inch apart.

"You appear to be concerned about something, no?" as she speaks.

Although she converses with me, she never looks in my direction, and I do the same. So we seems to be ignoring one another.

"Why do you think?" I asked her.

"You want to know?"

"Well, it's no use of telling me. Likewise, mind your own bussiness."

As I already stated, I am apathetic with those who approach me with confidence. Moreover, she appears to seek attention, which bothers me.

"Is that so?"

"Er, why do you talk me in that tone?"

Her tone is a little stern.

"No reasons."

"You caught me off guard, there for sure, you must have some impetus reason under your sleeve. Can you explain to me why are you sitting beside me?"

Even though I have an idea why she's here, I want her to answer me honestly.

"Aren't you glad since a good-looking, no, a gorgeous woman seated next to you?"

"What a great descriptive way of introducing yourself."

"It's the truth though. Do you think it too?"

"Um, I think so."

I can't deny the fact that she has enormous looks and a commendable demeanor. But, if I had to guess, this woman seemed to be interested in me, therefore she make this stage and create an act.

"Uhm, did you just praise me?" She asks nonchalantly.

I want her to be embarrassed and think that I'm not a decent guy to talk to. In specific, I want her to stay away with me. But it looks like it's pointless to do this to her, as she was making a straight-face.

"You're the one who said that, and I'm agreeing to it."

"Anyway, I'm simply here, perhaps, threat--for observing."

Did I just hear threat?

"Observing? It's obvious that it was me, right?"

"Who knows."

"Is this a new conversation nowadays?"

Frankly, I don't like how this is going. She seems arrogant yet persistent, which makes her exasperating.

"Probably not."

"Then, can I ask one more question?"

"Don't expect me that I can easily answer your question."

"Then why are you here?"

"Is that your question?"

"Definitely, it's not. But I asked anyway, expecting you'd speak on your own. However, it doesn't work for you. So, to sum it up, I understand why you're here in the first place."

She didn't budge an inch in response to my statement. I have a hunch in my mind as to why this woman is seated next to me.

On the other hand, this is merely a common threat to push her away. If we use reality, girls are more sensitive when it comes to this conversation. They are very good at observing people who approach them. But since it is the other way around, and this woman had the confidence to come and approach me, I guess she's wise enough to see right through my statement.

"Don't worry. It's only a guess, so I'm not sure whether I'm accurate. However, it irritates me to think that someone had the confidence to approach me without identifying herself."

"I guess you're right."

"You know my name, I suppose. How about you give me your name?"

"Hana--"

"Then Hana, are you from that organization?"

She wasn't startled by my straightforward question, but it looks like she was already aware of what I was trying to imply.

In any case, I'm just making a wild guess here. I'm just curious whether she works for the organization they're referring to.

"How do you tell? It's not that I introduce myself to you," as she responded with a calm-cold voice.

"Feigning ignorance, huh? How laughable."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

She didn't want to answer me directly, so she chose her words more carefully. As I thought, she's astute.

"So?"

"Honestly, I'm quite fond of you, Ms. Hana..."

"Even if you didn't know me? I'm glad to hear that, however isn't a confession, right?"

"Take it however you want, it doesn’t matter to me."

"Thank you, but--"

"Why thanking me?"

"You see, I'm refusing your confession."

This woman has the guts to crack a joke somehow. Now it makes sense that she's here to talk to me.

"Ah, should I say: 'Can you please give me a chance?'" I joined her caper.

"Ok, that was too embarrassing, don't you think?"

"Right, so can we please stop this act?"

After that, she stayed silent and didn't speak for a couple of seconds. It seems that she can't any longer hide the fact that she's observing me.

"Oh right, furthermore, this was intended from the start, right Ms. Hana?"

There's no denying that her strategy was well planned out from the start. To be precise, all of this was a ruse to catch my attention and quickly trust her. But, regrettably, I'm not the type of man who would fall into this hook.

"Hm, fine, it can't help since I'm not the only one who wants to meet you in person."

Nonetheless, she didn't refute my assumption.

"Then who else?"

"Few leaders of the Organizations in school," she muffled in a direct tone.

Is she here to inform me about that?

"There are different Organizations who built the entire school as you can see Mr. Seid. But the most influential among these Organizations is, of course, the Student Council," she explains.

"It's kinda interesting to hear that coming from you. This is something I've never heard of before. Can you, however, hold our talk for a moment here? There was a woman who was going to appear right now. That person seems to be interested in joining our conversation."

I'd want to hear more of it; unfortunately, time has run out. I sensed that there's a female who wants to meet me here.

So I stand up and headed towards to that woman who show up right after.

As expected, she'll be here. That woman was the one who gave me a note in class. Sadly, I don't have time to play hide and seek with her anymore, however, she's pretty quick at finding me. This spot is not crowded and it seems few people know such a place like this.

We exchange greetings and that didn't last before she knew that there was someone else present besides me.

"Uhm, can I ask first?" she looked at the other person who was on the bench.

"What is it?"

"That woman."

"That's not an issue, right?"

"But..."

"Pardon for interrupting Ms. Frey, and greetings to you," Hana, who was about to get up from her seat, greeted her, "Anyway, I will leave first Mr. Seid. There's plenty of time to talk about this, just the two of us."

Two of us? That seem a bit suspicious.

"You're in a hurry? Well, if you say so."

I have nothing to do with her time, so I let her go.

"And Ms. Frey," Hana continued on, "your scent, it was nice. Good choice. I wish you luck."

Gradually, the air become smotherly silent and intense. It seemed that Hana was taunting her with words.

"Well then, please excuse myself. I will see you again Mr. Seid."

After that, Hana leave silently without turning her back to us. From someone's perspective, listening to her remarks and hearing her accent was more daunting if you didn't know her personality. Her words leave an indelible effect. Though, I don't deny, she's a clever woman. She appears to have been a significant figure while also being mysterious.

"I'm sorry for that, speaking of which, why are we here? Or, should I say, what are you going to tell me?"

I assumed right from the start that she was here to see me.

"It's not a bother. Basically, I'm just here to discuss some important matters. The note..." she glances around to check if anybody was hiding.

"Don't be troubled, there is no one nearby. And yeah, it's just what you said."

When I received the note, I thought it was just some frivolous words of some annoying woman. However, the message stated that someone was on their way to see me in a matter of time. However, It was clear that she was the one who wanted to see me. The time was not specified, but rather the location is.

"Do you believe it was fraudulent in the first place?"

"To be honest with you, yeah since I don't trust others very easily."

"That's fine, I know you're a cautious person."

"And that woman, who is she?" I immediately asked her.

"I'd like to ask that to you."

"Uhm, you didn't know as well?"

"Of course, who the hell is that woman?"

Her reaction was surprised me more, but my expression is as always.

She looks to be unfamiliar with Hana.

"Why are you questioning me?"

"Atleast she give you her name, right?"

"Um, yeah."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm not going to tell you."

"Why!? Did she give you a warning? A threat?"

"No, atleast..."

"Then give me her name."

"It's not that I am with her, but do you think I'm the kind of person who shares valuable information?"

I don't trust anyone, unless I know them.

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind. But I'm not going to tell you."

This is, I guess, the correct choice. I don't have that much trust in this woman, just as everybody else.

"Hey, tell me... is it... do you have feelings for that woman? You're captivated by her beauty?"

What the heck she's thinking?

"It's none of your business, so don't ask," I said in a threatening tone.

"Then forget it. We proceed to the topic." She quickly dodge since it doesn't concern her anymore.

"Yes, please do it quickly."

"Um, first of all, do you know me?"

She's being inquisitive as she gaze at my eyes.

"No clue."

"You're too blunt, huh. Please do remember all of the names of your classmates."

"That's... too much to ask... but I'll try my best."

Honestly speaking, there's no need to remember it all since I remember the names of those who I encountered the most.

"Anyway, I'm Hana--"

"Er, what did you say?"

"Remeber your classmates' name?"

"No, not that."

"What?"

"Your name."

"Hana?"

"Yeah, that was your name?"

"Hey, do you have a problem with my given name?"

"No, please proceed."

It's a good thing my reactions aren't too visible. It's funny to think that they have the same name--No, probably not.

In any case, it was just not a coincedence, rather it seemed strange.

That woman, perhaps she recognized the name 'Hana' beforehand. Is it possible that I fell right into her trap from the start?

She's quite unpredictable.

"Alright, I'm Hana Frey, and the representative of Student Council."

"Um..."

"What is it again?!"

"Are you from the Student Council?"

"Hey, do you hear what I've said? Do you doubt me?"

"No, um it's unexpected, but please proceed."

"Fine, please pay more attention to my words. Regardless, It's not that I am an official member."

There's an awkward silence before she speak again. I don't know her reason, therefore I don't have the authority to talk on that subject.

"Back to where we're at, the president wanted to see you."

"Hm, Alright."

"Hey, is that your reaction?"

"Am I supposed to be glad?"

"No, but have you ever wonder why?"

"It's because I'm a transferred student?"

Obviously, I have my own idea as to why. However, this'll be the better response.

"Are you playing dumb with me?" she confidently said.

"Why are you asking me?"

"To---"

*Bzzz*

Her phone vibrated, and it appeared that she had received a message.

"Excuse me for a minute."

She then grab her phone and check the message.

Suddenly, she felt serious and fixed her gaze on me.

"I'm sorry, but change in plans. We need to go there."

"..."

"...in the Student Council Room."

"..."

"Your reactions are the same, huh? You're a peculiar guy."

"Um, you appear to be holding me hostage when you say it like that. Anyway, in the first place, I assume that we need to go there."

"Why do you say so?"

"Because of that woman..."

"Is she that related? I don't get it."

"Forget it. Please lead the way to the Student Council Room."

"Yeah, you're right."

After that, she took the lead, and I followed. However, as I was ready to take my first step, I noticed something on the bench where I had been sitting earlier. There was a white card with numbers written on it.

Probably her contact information.

"How amusing..."

"What do you say Mr. Seid?"

"No, nothing..."

And with that, we continue our way.