Project: Socialize

It has been a whole day since the last objective, meaning that today...is a Friday. In class, all the others are focused on are plans for the weekend. For example, where they're gonna go, who they'll be going with, and what they plan to do. In my eyes, these plans are retarded and mostly useless. They are to me anyways because I don't have any friends to spend time with.

I yawned and placed my head against the cool wooden surface of my desk, still somewhat drowsy. The cicadas chirped outside and the sound of the air conditioning unit running combined with the chatter of the students within the classroom made it so that it was impossible to sleep. This thus rendered me in a state of constant drowsiness but also constant awareness.

I don't understand why everyone is so energetic when it is so hot outside. The sun's deadly rays almost seems to drain me of all vitality but these students seems to be fueled by it. This is the reason why I dislike summer. People just always seem to be in a high energy mode, possibly due to the clear weather outside. I'm more of a winter person. Why? Because that is when you really start to appreciate warmth.

I took out my phone from my pockets and placed it on my desk. I unlocked it and began browsing the internet, hoping to pass time until the bell would ring and signal the start of class. As I waited there, swiping left and right on my phone with no real purpose, I heard the sound of the chair next to my desk being pulled out. I glanced over and discovered that Muria has taken a seat in her desk.

My gaze soon drifted back to my phone for I have no real business with her. However, seeing her did remind me of the wound on my left hand, so I brought my left hand onto the desk and stared at the bandaged wound.

"Sorry about your hand," she apologized to me.

"Don't worry about it."

I glanced over at her and noticed that she appeared still somewhat in guilt about what had happened. This isn't like her because she would never treat me like that. More specifically, when she would talk to me, she would never even look at me unless needed to. Plus she would never treat me with such kindness.

"Look's like there's nothing to worry about then." She crossed her arms and that sorry look on her face immediately vanished.

There we go. That is the Muria I know.

"I've told you already," I said. "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault for me to get hurt."

Silence ensued, leaving me in an awkward atmosphere. I must have raised my expectations way to high to think that the two of us could carry out a whole conversation so this is my punishment.

"You got plans for tomorrow?" Muria's voice lifted the seal of silence between the two of us in a surprising and astonishing way.

"What?" I turned my head towards her, surprised and unsure if I heard her clearly.

"Do you have plans tomorrow?" she asked with a straight face, although she didn't look over towards me.

"No," I responded, still bewildered that she would ask me that question.

"Tomorrow," she started speaking, "3:00 PM. At Nocsinis station."

"What do you mean?"

"I am partly responsible for your wound. So I want to make it up to you."

"How're you gonna do that?"

"I'll spend some time with you," she grinned in a supercilious manner.

"I don't see how that's gonna compensate for my injury." I stared at her in a doubtful manner.

"You better show up on time," she said in an authoritative tone. "You said you don't have any plans."

"But that doesn't mean I'll need to spend time with you. It's super hot outside and stuff. I'd rather stay home." I suddenly felt a threatening glare from her that made me fear for my own safety. "I'll...I'll be there."

"Good."

That day, she didn't talk to me again.

***

I arrived at our meeting spot five minutes earlier than the time that we arranged. With nothing to do and with the hot sun staring me down, I took cover in the shade of the train station building. From here, I have a clear view of the entire station square so I'll be able to find her when she arrives.

I leaned against the concrete wall with my phone in my hand. I checked the time and noticed that our meeting time is slowly arriving. However, she's no where to be found.

Don't tell me she's not gonna show up.

I stared at my phone, thinking that I should text her to ask her where she is at. Then, I realized that I do not have her number so I have no way of contacting her.

"What did I do to deserve this?" I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I stood there waiting and watching the large crowd of people just walking by.

My phone alerted me of a notification, and when I checked my phone, it was another one of The True God's missions.

—

Current Objective:

Acquire Muria's contact information

Time Limit: 2 hr

Reward: 15 SP

—

I sighed. "Why don't you tell me to fly to the moon?"

I looked up and eyed the station square. My eyes were dry from the heat and it lacked any signs of hope. There were other people waiting with me as well, mostly guys who stood around possibly waiting for their girlfriends. Just when I was about to mock them for their stupidity and that no one will show up, their companions suddenly showed up almost simultaneously, leaving me standing alone.

I lowered my head in despair, acknowledging the fact that I am different from others. I'm not the best at socializing, thus I cannot expect others to actually keep a promise with me. For example, if Muria were to be invited by someone else, she would probably just ignore her date with me. That is true for everyone in this world.

Most likely, she invited me yesterday out of guilt. What if her guilt is suddenly alleviated and she no longer feels the need to compensate me? Since she doesn't have my contact information, she's unable to notify me about it and decided that I'm not worth the trouble of her heading out all the way here. That is highly likely.

I looked up towards the blue sky that is so blue that it appears to be mocking me for my stupidity.

Why the hell was I excited for this day anyways? I looked down at my outfit and self-mockingly chuckled, laughing at my own stupidity. The night before, I had spent a decent amount of time picking out clothes to wear, but in the end, it feels like it is a waste of time.

I checked the time on my phone and discovered that it is 3:15 PM. She's probably not going to show up now. Looks like I wasted my time.

I grinned, finally acknowledging my stupidity.

It's fine. There's nothing to be sad about. Just learn from your mistakes and don't fall for it again. So there's no need to cry. No need to cry.

With my hands in my pockets, I started for the entrance to the train station. My destination is home and nowhere else.

"There you are."

A familiar voice caused me to halt in my progress. Muria stood there, her breast moved up and down with her rapid breathing. She seemed somewhat tired as she stood there, but it appears that she's trying her best to hide it.

"Muria?" I looked at her in surprise.

"Let's go." She walked right past me, without turning her head back to check if I am following or not, almost as if she knows for sure that I'll follow behind her.

With no other choice, I followed after her, eyes captivated by her long black hair that's tied into a ponytail. As I trailed behind her, I noticed that she's not dressed in her school uniform. Instead, replacing the usual white button up shirt was a simple white cold top combined with a pair of black skirts. Instead of her usual school bag, she carried with her small black purse.

She...dressed up for this? That is impossible. I've always thought that Muria must have a nice taste in clothing, so this combination must've taken her only a few minutes to choose out, unlike me. Today to her is probably just like any other day.

I looked up towards the sky as I slowly walked behind her.

Yeah. It's just any other day for her. I'm not special to her at all. Rather, she's doing this to help relieve herself of her guilt. It's all because of this wound on my left hand.

I brought my bandaged hand up to my face and stared at it.

Without this, she'll most likely never even ask me out for the day. Yup, this is it. There's no special feelings laced into this day. It is more of a responsibility to her than enjoyment. She probably wants to go home right now. She probably is in a bad mood because of this. She doesn't want to be here, so I shouldn't force her.

"Muria," I said, reaching out with my right hand to grab onto her wrist so as to stop her.

"What?" She looked back at me.

I knew it.

I smiled as I confirmed my suspicions.

In her eyes, I could sense little joy. Rather, I could feel a somewhat more complicated, negative emotion from within those eyes of hers. Combine that with her tone of voice as she speaks to me, I know my answer.

"I think...we should just call this off."

Her eyes widened in surprise as I revealed to her my intentions.

That's right. Be happy. Feel the joy. You no longer have to be obligated to compensate me for this. It isn't your fault. My body moved on its own that day so it is my fault for getting injured. You don't owe me anything. If you're so unhappy, then just be happy. We don't have to do this.

I smiled, knowing that I've provided relief for both of us. More relief to her than to me actually, because to be honest, I was actually quite excited for today. But...I would rather her be happy than having to spend time with someone like me.

That mission assigned to me? That can be whatever. I have enough points to deduct so I'm not worried. You can't force things. Just gotta let things flow naturally. If I am to be secluded and avoided by all, then so be it. If no one enjoys my presence, then I'll just go away.

"So ugh," I continued on, "we can each go our separate ways now."

I looked into her eyes, forcing a smile so as to make it seem like it is of my own will.