Minami no hanashi : Yume - Prelude

Some time after Jun's departure,

Minami stood in front of her desk, holding a pen. She was pensive, an odd feeling troubling her mind.

« I feel like something's missing... »

At that moment, her phone started ringing.

-(Minami) Hello?

-(Ayemi) Are you working, I hope?

-(Minami) Yes, unlike you.

-(Ayemi) I took notes the whole time. I even took the trouble to double-check that nothing was missing.

-(Minami) Cool.

-(Ayemi) I don't know if you're finished, but you'll have to redo it. You're missing the names of the representatives. And don't forget to give positive and negative opinions about me. And you better not exaggerate on that!

-(Minami) Ugh... I thought something was off. And yeah, don't worry, I only wrote what I think and-

While reviewing the notes, Minami came across a note from Ayemi that stopped her in her tracks.

-(Minami) I can't believe it...

-(Ayemi) What?

-(Minami) Can you explain to me why our negative opinions are almost identical?

-(Ayemi) What do you mean? Don't tell me you just copied from me. I swear it's going to be trouble.

-(Minami) Impulsive, grumpy, and chaotic... We find them on my side and yours... That's 3 out of 4 that are identical...

-(Ayemi) Okay, well, change it. Don't put it like mine. And for the positive qualities? Is it okay?

-(Minami) No, I'll leave it like that, it needs to stay authentic. And for the qualities... Hmm...

-(Ayemi) "Hmm" what?

-(Minami) Yeah, no, I'm struggling to find more than one quality.

-(Ayemi) Are you kidding me?

-(Minami) It's not to offend you, but besides your note-taking, I really don't see... Oh yeah! You're n-

The words seemed to escape Minami's mouth. What she wanted to say seemed unreal.

-(Ayemi) What's with you?

-(Minami) You're n-n-nice?

A small silence fell. Minami herself was shocked by her own words.

-(Ayemi) D-Don't talk nonsense!

-(Minami) No, don't get carried away, it's just that you helped me with your magnet thing. She said, writing Ayemi's only quality

-(Ayemi) By the way. Give it back to me.

-(Minami) Yeah, yeah, I just noticed, I'll bring it back to you tomorrow.

-(Ayemi) You better, or else watch out for your shoulder.

-(Minami) If you touch me-

-(Ayemi) Anyway, did you keep the document? The names of the representatives are under each club.

-(Minami) Yeah, I got it, I'll copy that and send it to you. But if something's wrong, you'll change it yourself.

-(Ayemi) Okay. But work well! Or else I'll report you.

On these words, Ayemi immediately hung up.

-(Minami) Who does she think she is, that witch?

-(Minami) *Sigh* Well, I guess I have to change all that...

Minami spent an hour putting everything in order. She fell asleep while thinking about the quality she had put for Ayemi.

After a good night's sleep, the next day arrived. Minami hurriedly got ready. It was while having breakfast that she realized she had forgotten to send what she had done to Ayemi. « Oh well », she thought. « After all, she was probably already asleep when I finished. »

At school, she joined Ayemi who was waiting for her outside the teachers' room.

-(Ayemi) Finally! And yesterday, you didn't send anything!

Minami seemed totally disconnected, yawning as she replied to Ayemi. « Oh... yeah, that's true... »

-(Ayemi) You look exhausted, poor thing.

-(Minami) I... dreamed once again about the presentation of everyone in the class... It exhausted me.

-(Ayemi) Spare me your life story. I really hope you didn't forget anything and that everything is well done, because I want to make a good impression. If it's poorly done, I...

Clearly annoyed, Minami handed her the document to be returned and invited her to check the content herself.

Ayemi stared at her for a moment, then snatched the document from her hands. « Even if I check it, how do I edit it? Fool. »

-(Minami) Yeah.

Her response sounded disinterested, as if she were mocking the situation.

-(Ayemi) This girl is really dumb! Anyway. Let's drop this thing and never speak of it again.

-(Minami) Yeah, let's put an end to this dreadful ordeal.

After depositing the report in Madame Kobannocchi's locker...

-(Ayemi) Now, my magnet.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

-(Minami) Please?

-(Ayemi) It's mine, you have to give it back to me!

« Here. » Minami said, handing her the magnet.

Ayemi seemed delighted to be able to enjoy her cold source again. As she was about to thank Minami: « It's warm! You've taken all the cold! » she exclaimed.

-(Minami) Yes, it was pleasant.

-(Ayemi) You're such an idiot!

Minami seemed amused by the situation and adopted an ironic tone.

-(Minami) But you handed it over so kindly, I thought I should make an effort and use it properly.

Ayemi then turned her back on her and walked away, wishing her the best: « I hope you suffer even more. »

-(Minami) Says the one who offered to help me.

After that, Minami hurried to join Sanae, who was already in the classroom. When she arrived in the corridor leading to her destination, she maneuvered between students to make her way quickly. The noise coming from her classroom made her quicken her pace even more.

As soon as she reached the door of her classroom, she came face to face with Sanae.

-(Sanae) Minami!?

-(Minami) Yes?

The latter seemed to palpitate with excitement.

-(Sanae) You're dating Takunomi and you didn't tell me!?

A look of disgust appeared on Minami's face. Sanae, noticing it, gave an embarrassed smile.

« Where did you get that idea? » she asked, trembling with disgust.

Sanae's little laugh eased the atmosphere.

-(Sanae) It's from this weird leaf!

Sanae pointed to a strange sheet of paper. Minami then looked around and realized that this sheet was on every table.

She rushed to her seat and took the sheet to examine it more closely. It was a list of potential couples in the class. Strangely, every student except for a few was listed. Everyone was talking about this infamous sheet. Minami remained frozen as Sanae approached.

-(Sanae) Apparently, I'm with Rikiza.

-(Minami) What the hell is going on?

Minami is naturally intolerant of clichéd scenes. This intolerance intensified further with the presence of Tsuka and Taiya.

Taiya sighed in dissatisfaction. « Ugh, why didn't they pair me with Jukugo? » After a brief moment of thought, she added, « Well, okay, it could have been worse. Kiyo isn't too bad after all! »

Jukugo, on the other hand, displayed total incomprehension, looking at Taiya with disdain.

Tsuka thought aloud, « It would've been nice with Ryo..., » and let out a small chuckle. « But I guess Nao would know how to defend me if there's trouble! Hehe, it's not so bad after all. »

Faced with this, Minami couldn't contain her exasperation. « Are you serious right now? »

Taiya shrugged casually. « What's the problem? Better to laugh about it than to cry! »

Minami felt increasingly exasperated.

In the middle row, Rikka, a girl from Ayemi's group, got annoyed. « What's with this circus? How come I'm with this- » She shuddered in horror.

The person in question, Kiyoshi, gave Rikka a perplexed and intimidating look. « Damn it, Rikka! Do you want to die or something? » thought Kaori, Rikka's friend, also part of Ayemi's group. She intervened, trying to defuse the situation. « H-Haha, she's just kidding, she's just kidding... » she said, pushing Rikka.

Ayemi entered the room and seemed to have heard everything. Sighing in annoyance, she sat down muttering, « What idiots. »

Three tables away, Harumi and Yukisada, the two shyest students in the school, were paired on the list. And what was most embarrassing for both of them was that they were sitting next to each other. They both carefully avoided looking at each other. Then suddenly, Kana slipped between them. A teasing student who took great pleasure in teasing Yukisada.

-(Kana) So, Yukisada? Do you like your new girlfriend?

Embarrassment engulfed Yukisada, and he stuttered desperately, cheeks flushed.

-(Yukisada) Wh-What? I-I... I-I don't... I don't know what... Y-You're saying... I-I'm not... I mean... No, this list is wrong...

Saki, Kana's friend, looked bored as she observed the scene in silence.

-(Saki) Um, is it possible to stutter like that... It sounds like a struggling engine trying to start...

Jouka heard this remark and found it hilarious, bursting into exaggerated laughter.

« Hahahaha, you're too funny! » he exclaimed, banging on his table. « Hahahaha, that's so funny! »

His laughter grew louder. « Hahahaha, my stomach hurts! »

Jouka's loud and annoying laughter was followed by a heavy, oppressive silence filled with disdain. But what disdain? The one present in the eyes of each person in the classroom. But why this abusive reaction from Nemushi Jouka? Although it wasn't the first time he exaggerated, his reaction was still more extravagant than usual.

-(Jouka) DAMN IT! I'm really the worst! I should've kept my mouth shut! I've decided I'm going to stay silent forever! Absolutely nothing goes right with me! First yesterday with Tishiku... What possessed me to try out for the soccer club when I suck so much?!! And now this cursed list Getting *angry*... I'M NOT EVEN ON IT!!!

That explains everything.

True to herself, Ayemi cast a truly disdainful glance in Jouka's direction.

-(Ayemi) You're really pathetic.

A small tear rolled down Jouka's cheek, filled with shame.

-(Tsuka) Ouch... I wouldn't want to be in his shoes...

-(Sanae) You should leave him alone! Can't you see you're making him uncomfortable?

-(Ayemi) Ugh... Are you really defending this guy?

-(Sanae) I'm talking about Kazuhiro.

-(Jouka) Even Sanae doesn't acknowledge me anymore!!!

Amidst this spectacle, one of the troublemakers, Tadao Nao, approached Tsuka, looking cheerful.

-(Nao) Hey! How's my new girlfriend doing?

Tsuka played along with the troublemaker and put on a princess-like air.

-(Tsuka) Hey, my prince charming! I hope you're good at fighting because you have a lot of competitors!

Minami, despite herself, witnessed this scene and thought, "What competitors?"

Nao cleared his throat and took on a princely air himself.

-(Nao) Fear not, my dear, for you have witnessed me in action at my wrestling activity yesterday. I have complete confidence in my chivalrous abilities.

They both laughed. Tsuka pondered for a moment, then questioned her prince.

"Do you think Kurou is satisfied with his princess? No, what am I saying?! His queen!" Her gaze fell on Ayemi.

Nao pondered for a moment himself.

-(Nao) Hmm... I think th-

Suddenly, Kurou slammed his table violently.

-(Kurou) You brats, if I had known that repeating a year would land me in this class... tss... I would've acted differently... You idiots.

Rikka, who had just returned to the room, couldn't help but make herself noticed again.

-(Rikka) Hahaha as if you could've avoided repeating!

-(Kaori) Rikka!! You just came back and you're making the same mistake again!!

Ayemi let out a small laugh. She quickly realized the foolishness of her actions.

-(Tsuka) Ouch...

-(Minami) This class is insane.

-(Taiya) Oh, looks like she didn't really like that.

-(Nao) What?! How dare she?! Damn it! And the worst part is that she's kinda right!! Shit, I can't come up with a comeback! What do I do? How's he gonna react?! He must be going crazy, he mu- Kurou abruptly stood up and addressed Rikka in a very threatening manner.

-(Kurou) You want me to smash your skull in?

-(Nao) He's furious! Rikka was frightened, unable to string her words together.

-(Rikka) N-No I- it was just a jok-

He stepped towards Rikka, never breaking eye contact.

-(Kurou) You think you're funny, bitch? Just wait until I-

Suddenly, he stopped. His gaze shifted to the quietest boy in the class, if not the whole school.

Hayashi Ryo, with an impressive calmness, slowly stood up from his chair, drawing everyone's attention in the room.

They all thought Ryo was going to rescue Rikka from the thug leader's clutches.

As Kurou, eyes fixed on Ryo, didn't move.

Ryo looked back at Kurou, displaying a neutral and disinterested expression. Eventually, Ryo simply left the room without saying a word, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Kurou, suddenly calmed, slammed his fist on Rikka's table and immediately returned to his seat, as if nothing had happened.

A heavy silence dominated the room.

-(Kaori) Um, what just happened exactly? Relieved, Rikka slumped into her chair. « I thought I was going to die... »

Kaori grabbed her friend's shoulders and shook her vigorously. « You're completely nuts too! You just keep annoying the wrong people! »

-(Rikka) Haha, yeah I guess... Ayemi and Kaori sighed.

-(Taiya) By the way, isn't there a problem with Ryo on the list?

-(Tsuka) Oh yeah, that's right! Why is Ryo paired with both Saki and Kana at the same time? The girls associated with Ryo felt embarrassed hearing this.

-(Saki) Haha, yeah... It's strange...

So Saki and Kana discreetly slipped out into the corridor. The two girls began whispering out of sight.

-(Saki) Kana! What did you do?! How did the list leak?!

-(Kana) How should I know?! No one's supposed to know about it! Who leaked it?! Plus, we only had one sheet! Who made copies?!

-(Saki) Damn it! We need to-

As Kana waved the sheet, the two noticed they were being watched by Ryo. He was silently observing them.

-(Saki, Kana) Wait! We can explain-!

Ryo simply ignored them. He walked right past them and returned to the classroom.

Back in the classroom, Kaori headed towards the Otakus' group. Tutsomu was reading a manga, Daisuke was playing with his phone, and Tetsuo was sleeping. Ayemi's friend couldn't stand the Otakus' group. According to her, they were disgusting beings.

-(Kaori) So? Not too disappointed about not being on the list?

No Otaku paid her any attention. Except Daisuke, the most fantastic Otaku in Unmei High!

END OF CHAPTER