Chapter 1: Part 1

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In a classroom, there are always different groups of people— cliques. These also include the ones without one, known as outsiders.

In literature, outsiders, otherwise known as side characters/mobs— are a tad different than what they are perceived to be in mangas/animes.

These are the type of people who can go missing without notice and can do their own thing without any interruptions. You may think that type of life seems sad, but in reality, it's a man's best gift.

Of course, I'm referring to myself. Kazuki Arita. While being a mob is fun, I'm also a proud otaku.

I've solidified that status after years of binge-watching every episode of Monster Ball Z, owning every collectible figure in the Hate/Go series and being a self-proclaimed god at every fighting game known to man. I also identify myself as an avid manga reader. A cliché description, you might say. I know.

Unfortunately, reality works a little differently than in books and T.V. shows. Even my mob status can't save me from the pesky troubles named school.

The last period had just begun, English being my worst subject but it also houses that guy, Ichiro Touma. He's what you would call your cliché douche. He's your tall, blonde hair, popular with the girls, and your athletic, rich boy, your premium package.

On a bright note, I always look forward to this one thing when stepping past those doors— The Silent Princess, Ayame Hagino. 

Her umber-colored hair was well-kept, glossy, yet reasonably smooth. Her pale skin was sleek and unblemished. She had a good body figure, a decently shaped nose, and large maple-colored eyes; that sat below her thinned eyebrows, and her flushed cheeks and small lips added flamboyance to her appearance.

I couldn't stop myself from staring at her. At this point, it's a daily occurrence.

But that isn't what makes Hagino unique. What makes her special is that she has not spoken a single word to anyone since our first year of high school, thus earning her the nickname 'The Silent Princess.'

Initially, people used to call her the ice queen since she never bothered to respond and always gave out this cold-eyed stare. Yet guys still have the tenacity to ask her out and are always met with a firm silent rejection.

Besides her stoic facial expressions, she's also academically gifted, earning top marks every term.

Hagino sat at the desk nearest to the door. I sat across from her on the left, a desk up. Sitting up here makes us easy pickings, but the teacher, whom I assume is intimidated by Hagino's cold behavior, rarely calls for her. And when she was, all she had to do was grammatically fix a sentence provided on the board.

Due to this, I'm usually Mr. Araki's second pick.

“Thank you, Komori. Alright, Arita, could you please fill in the blanks...”

And there's my cue.

I got up from my seat and proceeded to head toward the board. On my way, my eyes averted toward Hagino, catching a glimpse of her. She was too busy focusing on the clock above the door to notice my glance.

The sentence on the board was pretty simple, 'Pure ___ filled the room.' There were two options to choose from— Option one, Silent, and Option two, Silence.

The correct choice is obviously—

"Close, but the correct grammar would be 'silence,' Arita." Noted, Mr. Araki.

"Make sure to read over your notes later."

"Yes, sir."

A couple of students giggled as I walked back to my desk. 

So, it looks like I was a tad bit overconfident. It wasn't a surprise. I hardly pass the tests given out.

Hagino, on the other hand, answered her sentence correctly. She remained calm as ever. That's the princess for you.

As the class was nearing its end, I remembered that I had cleaning duty today with Ichiro, and following the routine; it meant I was doing the cleaning.

It may sound counter-intuitive to go along with this unfair treatment, but I prefer being alone in a classroom filled with quiet space rather than being pestered by a guy complaining about his lowered allowance.

Midday approached as the bell rang. Hagino, who exited the room first, was already gone by the time the second student stood up. Another unique thing I forgot to mention is that— The princess was fast.

"Hey, Aaaakita, do you mind—"

I would sigh. "I do mind, but you're gonna leave anyway, so just go." 

"Thanks, man, you're best." Ichiro cheekily said, snapping himself away at the door.

This situation was another one of those pesky troubles a mob could not wriggle their way out of; 

Clean-up duty with a douche who gets your name wrong every time.