Project: Socialize

Irina's addition to our club was a guaranteed pass since Mura agreed to it without even requiring an application from her. Therefore, after school, the four of us made our way over to the club room in the secondary building of the school. There, we all went to our usual seats, with the only exception being Irina, who this was the first time for her to come to this room.

"You can sit anywhere you like," Loyd said to her as he retrieved the top chair in the neat stack in the corner of the room and placed it down for her.

"Thank you," Irina responded.

I didn't say much on their interactions, for it was none of my business. Rather, I was focused on scrolling through a novel on my phone. That's just how life is. Starting tomorrow, I will be plunged into a two-week cycle of staying after school and talking to other students, both things I absolutely hate to do. Thus I intended to enjoy the day as much as I can, although I can't really enjoy it since I'm forced to be present at the club instead of going home.

I let out a sigh, reminiscing at the fact that my peaceful daily life, which involved heading home after school, minding my own business, sleep, and head to school the next day, has been severely interrupted. My life has been drastically changed, and all of this is the fault of this stupid Socialization app. If it weren't for this app and for the deity of my world, I wouldn't even be forced to be here. Where the hell is my freedom now? Where's my happiness now? Religion is all a lie. I don't see any salvation for me.

I sighed once again, mourning the death of my old lifestyle. Through my fatigued eyes, I gazed at the bright screen on my phone, letting it reflect off my eyes. I needed something to distract me from the desperate future that I'm forced to partake in. The main culprit of this is Mura, Muria's sister and also my neighbor.

Come to think of it, I still haven't seen her yet around my house. The only person I've seen is Muria every morning when I leave my house to commute to school. Does Mura leave super early in the morning?

"What's wrong?" I heard Irina's voice from my right side.

"Nothing," I responded, but with a quick glance in her direction and from that look on her face, I was certain that my answer wasn't enough for her. "It's... I'm mourning the loss of my childhood."

"Some big words," Muria chuckled upon hearing what I had said.

"I don't necessarily think it's that—"

"—it's just that as you grow up, you have less and less freedom," I said.

"Complaining about the job forced onto you?" she smiled superciliously. "Don't worry. I'll help you out so no need to worry about that."

Her sense of superiority did not offend me. Rather, I felt quite calmed by that attitude of hers. She's someone that I can rely on, and that's the type of people that I prefer.

"Then I'll be counting on you," I responded, smiling faintly.

When I realized it, I discovered that Irina was staring at me with a somewhat odd expression on her face. I didn't know what it was that disturbed her, but I could tell that it had something to do with what I did earlier. Maybe it's out of jealousy or her competitive spirit; she doesn't want to lose to Muria?

"You too," I muttered as I looked at Irina. "I'll be relying on you."

Upon hearing my words, Irina seemed to be finally contempt. That slight frown disappeared from her face, and in its place was a slight smile. For what reason though, I wasn't entirely sure.

"Zaksus says he'll be stopping by in a bit," Loyd said to us. "Says that since the basketball team will be stopping their club activities for certain days in the upcoming weeks to prepare for the School Festival, he can come by."

It would've taken me a while to recall who he was if not for Loyd mentioning basketball, I immediately knew who it was. It's simple really, because once you see his star-like performance, you'll be able to remember the guy's name.

Like I've mentioned in the past, his type is the type that I'm the worst at handling. The high-octane energy of these athletes really isn't the best fit for someone of my personality to be honest. Like if one were to see us standing together, I would be like a rotting corpse next to someone of such high vitality.

"Loyd," Irina then said while we waited. "You've said that you and Alevian went to the same elementary school."

"Yeah," Loyd set his pencil down on his homework notebook to focus on answering Irina.

"How did you guys get to know Muria?"

"That?" Loyd looked over at Muria and then at me. "I'm not the expert on that question. You might have to ask them yourself."

Irina turned in my direction. Her stare made me quite uneasy, making it so that I felt extremely awkward just ignoring her and keeping my eyes on the screen of my phone, reading my novel.

"We sit next to each other," I finally said after giving up.

"But you two feel like you're quite close," Irina then said.

"How?" I muttered to myself in disbelief.

"Believe it or not," Muria said with that polite smile of hers and in that respectful attitude she used for anyone that isn't me. "That's all. Alevian and I have no other connections."

"It's just that the two of you seem to be able to commute without any barriers between the two of you," Irina whispered. "I'm actually quite jealous that you have someone that you can speak so freely to."

"That's not called speaking freely," I said to Irina. "It's called not caring."

"Isn't that the same thing?" Loyd commented and laughed.

"...You're right," I nodded after thinking about it for a second.

"It's just that... it's so nice that you all have each other to spend time with," Irina whispered with a melancholic expression on her face. "It's not that way for me...."

I stared at her face, taking in the sadness that was expressed by her smile. It was an expression similar to that of hers prior to my involvement with her life. It was that expression that so resembled my own. This desire for companionship, this desire to not feel alone, it's something that is born along our humanity. However, how will that desire be satisfied and can it even be satisfied?

"You can rely on us from now on," Loyd answered her with a smile. "You don't have to feel as if we're friends immediately. Slowly ease yourself into it."

"Thank you," Irina nodded.

"If you would like," Muria said as well, "you can talk to me if you have any problems."

"Thank you, Muria," Irina smiled at the girl that sat by the window.

Then, she turned to face me, almost as if expecting me to say something as well. However, I will not say anything. I do not believe in such words unless there's action accompanied with it. I'm a firm believer in action. Anybody can say words, but not everybody can back up what they said with action. From my perspective, I do support Irina, but do not expect me to voice it because once it is in words, then my friendship will probably evaporate just like how words cannot be heard forever. Therefore, let it be silent. Let it be hidden within our hearts and expressed to the other through our own bodies and actions.

"Thank you," she mouthed. It seemed as if she understood my intent judging by that faint smile on her face.

I nodded in response, signalling to her that I've received her message. Then, I continued to focus my attention on the novel on my phone.

It wasn't too long before Zaksus entered the club room. Like I expected, he entered with energy. He walked in, greeting everybody with his raised voice, respectful tone, and friendly smile, then he introduced himself to Irina. It seemed that Irina was somewhat caught off guard by Zaksus's energy, but as a professional celebrity, she concealed her astonishment and calmly greeted him.

"So Alevian, Irina, and Muria are tasked with your class's representative spot?" Zaksus nodded his head as he took in the situation. "That job's quite tough. Tell me if you need anything done. I'll do my best to help out."

"Thank you, Zaksus," Irina smiled at the first year student, who blushed in return.