It hurts.
With every breath, I’m assaulted by a sharp pain that digs into my back. Surely I can't say that the rocky surface I'm leaning on is at all comfortable. Even then I'd very much welcome this sensation more than the excruciating agony in my left leg. It must be twisting in an impossible direction right now. Even without looking I can somewhat imagine my leg bone sticking out through the torn skin.
But I’m not going to confirm it.
Eh?
It's not that I'm scared of the sight you know.
Well, I am though…
Putting that aside, something else is catching my attention right now.
Standing in front of me is a 3 meter high, gigantic figure of an insect staring down at my tattered body. Calling it an insect would be too light of a description however. On each side of the lower body that's 4 times my size, attached 2 sturdy, spider-like legs. A big and long tail that resembles a centipede spreads out on the ground. The creepiest part of it is the upper body that has the silhouette of a human female. Although at best it's just a “silhouette”, since the skin isn't human-like. It'd be hard to call it skin because the shiny texture gives off the feeling of a green insect husk. The face is anything but human, six small round eyes on the forehead and two more gigantic eyes right below. From its ant-like jaws a sticky, transparent liquid dripping down as to testify the creature’s savage hunger.
http%3a%2f%2fpre14.deviantart.net%2f8cec%2fth%2fpre%2f...a0x3ez.jpg [http://pre14.deviantart.net/8cec/th/pre/i/2016/121/c/d/insectumchronica1_by_amano_m-da0x3ez.jpg]
There're too many points to retort about it! (tsukkomi)
Not that i have the strength to.
To think about retorting in this situation.
Could it be that I'm actually an amazing person?
Thinking about such stupid things might just be my final obstinacy to rebel against this hopeless dilemma. Without minding my circumstances, the insect "thing" swiftly moves closer to me as if it's the most natural thing in the world to do. Jaws that are sharper than any knife cut into my belly like butter.
I'm violated with a pain so intense, it drowned out all the agony from my broken legs that was tormenting me.
It hurts so much.
I want to cry, but the skin around my eyes are so dry they seem to be crumbling apart.
While making disgusting, sloppy sounds, the sight of my entrails being dragged out became the last thing i see before the unbearable pain makes my body goes numb.
And then my consciousness fades into the dark...
I came to this world just recently… and it’s already the end…
Even bad jokes have a limit…
http%3a%2f%2fimg02.deviantart.net%2f7cc6%2fi%2f2016%2f...a0x3hv.jpg [http://img02.deviantart.net/7cc6/i/2016/121/4/3/insectumchronica2_by_amano_m-da0x3hv.jpg]
__________________________________________________________________
Going back several days ago.
I was walking toward my class like usual. From behind the doors miscellaneous chatters from teenage students who can't sit down quietly could be heard. The moment I open the door and walk in however, silence fills the atmosphere. Mocking glances are sent toward me together with some whispers of ridicule.
I'm a bit amazed that they don't get tired of doing it every day.
The top of my desk is littered with garbage, mostly the leftover wrappings of some convenient store's breakfast. There's even a puddle of milk dripping down from the table to the floor. If you were going to make a mess out of my desk then shouldn't you try harder? What's with this minimal effort of a bully scheme where you utilize the remains of your breakfast?!
Not that it matters…
Without showing a change in my expression, I pull out "those" from my bag.
Already, I can feel the haughty stares of the surroundings changing into dumbfounded looks.
kukuku
I came today prepared.
Don't think that I would be defeated by this level of harassment.
Brandishing my cleaning tools with a heroic expression, I start to triumphantly clean my desk without minding the surroundings.
http%3a%2f%2fpre13.deviantart.net%2fb5a8%2fth%2fpre%2f...a0x3mm.jpg [http://pre13.deviantart.net/b5a8/th/pre/i/2016/121/f/9/insectumchronica3_by_amano_m-da0x3mm.jpg]
Glory to civilization!
These cleaning tools that were made possible by thousands years of human wisdoms.
Let me wield them with pride.
Victory is mine!
______________________________________________________________________________________
.
.
.
I wonder, since when did this start? It’s not as if I’ve been receiving this kind of treatment all my life. Before middle school, I was getting along with my peers. My daily life was that of a kid you’d find anywhere.
I will admit, from a stranger point of view I do looks like the type that easily gets bullied.
My body build is thin, a short stature, a feminine face.
Moreover I’m not at all outspoken and don't make an effort to communicate with others.
Still, it’s not that I'm gloomy.
My patience is just a little too low when it comes to things I don't enjoy. I tried to mingle in with my classmates back in middle school but it felt like I was just playing out a script. I could not get myself interested in the conversation, nor could I understand their thought process. Every single time I would just wish for it to be over quickly so I can go back to do things I'm actually interested in. In the end I gave up on making friends.
One could say that I was just being a child.
And the result is this.
Even then, it would not be so bad if it was a typical frontal bully.
Though I look feeble on the outside, I’m not the type to just take whatever other people throw at me without resistance.
If violence is done toward me, I'll return it, even though I'm not strong.
If someone blocks my way, I'll push through, even if it leads to a fight.
I’ll probably lose… no, I’ll definitely lose. Since bullies are never alone after all. The whole point was the strong oppressing the weak, so it’s no good if the bullies don’t band together to form a big group to ensure their dominance.
It’s not bullying if you only win, it’s bullying when you win with superiority.
But even then, it is okay. I don’t mind losing, or getting hurt.
Well, I do…
But at least I could give those guys a proper answer, a solid resistance. In fact I wouldn’t be so troubled if the bullying I was receiving were physical harassments….
And yet, for some reason, I was never directly bullied. Instead all I get are dumb pranks done behind my back like this.
To be honest, I'm not sure how to handle it.
Harass them back? To fall down to the level of petty school girls…I feel like I’d lose something important as a man.
Call them out and talk it over?
That might be a good idea, communication is the basic of human relations after all.
Who's going to do it though?
Eh?
Me?
Wait, wait, isn’t the difficulty set too high? I can't remember the last time I had a proper conversation with someone. Not to mention I’m pretty sure I’m being ostracized by at least half of the school.
Nope. No way.
Impossible.
"Ara, Kawagami-san, your desk is as dirty as usual isn't it" -???
Geh..
It appeared.
The source of my problems.
http%3a%2f%2fpre06.deviantart.net%2f4be0%2fth%2fpre%2f...a0x3pa.jpg [http://pre06.deviantart.net/4be0/th/pre/i/2016/121/a/e/insectumchronica5_by_amano_m-da0x3pa.jpg]
The girl who called out to me with an arrogant attitude is accompanied by her two friends. Her two chums are both pretty girls above standard, but it would be quite mean to compare them to Chiba-san who's standing in front. Luxurious golden hair fall past her shoulders, thin rosy lips and a face that looks like it was crafted by a master doll maker. Yet, different from the artificial sensations of a doll she exerts amorousness unfit for her age. Add a golden, voluptuous body proportion to the mix and we have the number one idol in the school.
No…calling her an idol would be wrong. She’s more like a tyrant. A demon lord!
As if possessing a beauty that renders any man powerless against her isn’t enough. She’s also the granddaughter of Chiba Group’s founder. Who basically owns this private school. Since no one dares to go against her, she just does whatever she pleases.
As for me, she’s the type that I’d never want to get involved with.
Yet why she's such a problem to me, we have to go back to the event last month.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
I did mention I had feminine facial features did I not... Well that's a bit too light if I put it that way. To spit it out, rather than having a girlish face, I look exactly like one. To make it worse it’s not even on the level of just looking like a girl, back in middle school there was a secret fan club that consists of more than half the school’s male population.
http%3a%2f%2fpre08.deviantart.net%2f2b2e%2fth%2fpre%2f...a0x3o3.jpg [http://pre08.deviantart.net/2b2e/th/pre/i/2016/121/7/6/insectumchronica4_by_amano_m-da0x3o3.jpg]
Aaahh...
My heart has gone cold a bit, thinking back on that black history.
There's nothing like that in high school so I was saved.
I hope they didn't secretly make one though.
Anyway, back to the real topic at hand. Last month, I was called out by a 3rd year senpai. And not just any senpai, he’s the captain of the basketball club who’s the object of admiration and jealousy for many. While I was wondering why the school's prince called me out…
Well…
That bastard confessed to me!!
What the hell was that?
It's important, so let me say it once again.
What the hell was that?
Was this guy that kind of guy?
Though I know his nick name and fame, I have no idea what his name is in the first place, so how did it become like this… even as a joke this is too cruel.
As expected, I loudly rejected him and ran away as if my life was depending on it.
Despite having that kind of thing happened, the guy wasn't persistent so I thought I could put that incident behind me. But apparently this woman, Chiba Chika, is also in love with him, just like many other female students in this school. Though in her case, I wonder if it has less to do with love and more to do with her inborn pride. Losing to a guy was probably unforgiveable. It doesn’t help that her influence in the school, with regard to both her looks and lineage, was actually much bigger than that prince.
And so, we came to this point, where I get shunned by everyone while receiving harassments from her.
Well, getting confessed to by a guy, not that I can blame them for wanting to ridicule me...
Ah, not good.
My heart's going cold again…
"My my, since I'm a person with a big heart, let me help you to clean this up" -Chika
"I'll pass on that"
I curtly reject her.
Well, it's expected you know.
Especially if you say it with eyes that are full of ulterior motives…
What's with this woman!
Scary!
"Is that so, even though I went as far as offering my help to the likes of you.." -Chika
She was displeased.
As expected, either choice would turn out bad.
Isn’t this game impossible to clear?
I would like to have a choice that can actually lead to a good ending.
"Ahaha, what's with that, even you are just a transvestite" -???
A cheerful laugh rang out from behind Chiba. A girl with a small, but lively stature skips to the front, shaking her ponytail while wearing a mischievous smile. That's one of Chiba's entourage, Asano Asako. Even though she’s nowhere comparable to Chiba, she can also be counted as one of the popular girls in this school. Mostly thanks to her looks, athletic abilities and a cheerful personality that can talk with anyone as if they're friends. She’s often referred to by both guys and girls as a mood maker who brightens up the surrounding with her seemingly limitless energy.
If I put it that way, she seems like an amicable person doesn't she.
That supposedly amicable girl just went ahead and threw some crumbled bread wrappings down my desk.
“Since you’re at it anyway, clean this up for me won’t you?” -Asako
Then as if natural, the trio turned around and move to their seats.
Really now...what did I do?
I don't understand women.
Rather, you just make a statement that I can't overlook.
What do you mean by "transvestite"?
Would you like to confirm it with your body?
.
.
.
Leaving that aside, it seems like they're done with harassing me for now.
Lately it's been like a standard greeting every day, I'm getting tired.
I should do something about it after all.
But even if I say that, with many years of insufficient human relations, it's hard to think of a solution…
I’m so hopeless… even if I do say it myself.
Shortly after I finished cleaning, Sensei entered the class. Our homeroom teacher, Ikeda Ichiro sensei is a 180cm tall man in his early thirties, despite still looking like he’s in his mid-twenties. He’s a reliable adult that’s popular with both guys and girls from all grades.
For some reason the principal is together with him. Hnn…that’s.. the principal right? I rarely pay attention in school assembly so I’m not too sure.
Apparently it's a surprise inspection.
Really, how troublesome… I wonder why are schools in our area are still carrying out inspections on student’s bags anyway. It’s redundant if you ask me. Let just hurry and get this over with.
While everybody was preparing their bags for inspecting while muttering complains, someone intruded into the classroom.
"Sensei, the 2rd year’s inspections are done" -???
"Good work, Shinmei-san" -Principal
A second year girl with long black hair tied up to a neat ponytail reported to the principal from outside the class, did the second year perform the inspections by their selves?
"Also, may I see Sonohara-kun?" -Shinmei
The class immediately started to bustle with chatters.
Well, that's to be expected, a senior girl directing calling out a boy, quite the scandal among these love-hungry adolescents.
The 2nd year senpai moves toward a certain seat without minding the gallery. She seems used to be the center of attention.
"Your mom asked me to deliver the Bento you forgot, really now, being careless like that, you're as childish as ever " -Shinmei
"I..I'm not a child ! just go back to your class already! " -Sonohara
The Sonohara boy blushes a little while chasing her away.
Speaking of which, were this guy in my class? I can’t remember. He doesn’t leave any particular impression.
"Close as ever huh, you two" –Girl1
"Don't be so mean to your wife, idiot Souta" –Girl2
"Damn it, my Shinmei-senpai... Sonohara you lucky bastard!" –Boy1
Such remarks resounded among the peanut gallery.
Shinmei senpai is it, isn't she that pretty captain of the kendo club? I think her name was even on some sport newspaper at some point. I'm not too interested in strangers so I might be wrong though. From the way the situation is unfolding they seems close…
Wait… Childhood friends? Eh? Approved by parents? Eh?
Is this a gal game? *
It's a gal game isn't it?
Diverting my gaze from the enviab…, I mean unpleasant scene and turning my head to the black board, our homeroom teacher was making a wry smile, he’s soft on his students as ever. Principal sensei seemed like she was going to put an end to this noisy chatters and awkward atmosphere. However, she abruptly stopped just when she was about to speak.
No, it would be more correct to say she couldn’t move.
In front of me, the scenery turned grey, as if colors were drained out of space itself.
Nobody could move a finger. Not even a small sound echoed in the air. It’s like time stopped to flow in this colorless world.
However, from the corner of my vision, the scenery outside of my class looked the same as always. The stone paved yard is silent as always when classes are in sessions, the green rustling leaves sway to the gentle winter breeze like there’s nothing out of the norm. If I were to describe this situation, it’s as if my own class was cut off from the happenings of the world.
A jet black crack appeared in the middle of the colorless space, slowly extends toward every directions.
I wonder if everyone is having the same kind of bad premonition as I am right now. Not that I can confirm it since we’re all fixed in space without being able to move or talk.
And then the class….no…it’s more like space itself broke into pieces, like shattering glass. And I was enveloped by complete darkness, as my consciousness fades away…
http%3a%2f%2fimg02.deviantart.net%2fc3d5%2fi%2f2016%2f...a0x3qk.jpg [http://img02.deviantart.net/c3d5/i/2016/121/c/1/insectumchronica6_by_amano_m-da0x3qk.jpg]
*Note : gal game = Japanese Dating Sims, Visual Novel.... etc. Where the main character is surrounded by convenient love interests.