Author's Note: I don't know if there's an actual name for the guy who replaced Lelouch Lamperouge but I figured I'd give him one that's fitting. Enjoy!
Foregone Conclusion
I guess I should introduce myself to the new guy.
Not like I have anyone else to talk to. The classroom is all but empty except for myself, Miss Ikezawa and the latest addition to Class 3-3, Hisao Nakai.
I rise and Miss Ikezawa visibly shrinks, quietly slinking out of the room once I pass her.
I wish she wouldn’t do that… She’s the only one who even notices me but she’s just as shy with me as she is with everyone else. It sucks.
I make my way over to Hisao, completely consumed by his book.
“Hello, my name's Shin Kyokan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I bow politely.
“Huh? Oh, hi. I’m Hisao Nakai. You, um, may as well call me Hisao.” He smiles a little nervously and extends his hand. I take his hand just as nervously.
He noticed me. Oh dear. That’s not good. That’s not good at all.
“Sorry if I spooked you, Hisao.” I chuckle nervously. “I hope you’ll enjoy your time here.”
“It’s… It’s been interesting so far…” He admits with a small amount of grim acceptance and guilt in his voice.
“Well, our classmates are nothing if not welcoming.”
Mostly. “I’m sure you’ll be the butt of more than a few rumours by the end of the week.” I laugh and he grimaces.
“Gossip runs rampant here, I take it?”
“If the Newspaper Club has anything to do with it. They
love a scandal.” I nod with resignation.
I’ve been the subject of a few myself. Purely innocent on my part but when weird things happen, I’m usually the first guy for the noose.
I notice Hisao eyeing me up and I spread my arms wide to allow him a better look.
“It’s not obvious, is it?” I ask, knowing full well he won’t find a scratch on me.
“S-sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. I-I just thought, since there’s nothing… Y’know… That you might be like me…” Hisao admits with a twang of guilt. Poor guy. His condition must be new.
“I certainly hope not, my friend. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” I admit, a little more glib than usual to put Hisao at ease.
“I…” He breathes deep, preparing himself. “I have arrhythmia. I had a heart attack not too long ago.”
“Tragic. You have my sympathies, Hisao.” I smile warmly and he nods before looking at me.
“Oh! I guess it’s show and tell.” I smirk and he avoids my eyes, insisting that I don’t have to tell him. I can, I just need the right words so I don’t frighten him like I did with poor Miss Ikezawa.
“I have…
Corporeal Absentia.” I chuckle and he furrows his brow. “I won’t bore you with the details but I’m… not all here, shall I say.”
“I’ve never heard of that before. Then again, I’d never heard of arrhythmia before my attack so what do I know?”
A little self-deprecating humour, good thing to have here.
“Hopefully I’ll have the chance to tell you about it someday. For now, shouldn’t we be out enjoying our youth? It’s Saturday, after all.” I smile and his eyes go wide.
“Oh crap, I just remembered I was meant to meet the Student Council!” He jolts up right and stuffs his book in his bag.
“I wouldn’t keep them waiting. Shizune might be cute on the outside but she can be
quite the taskmistress.” I smile and he laughs, no doubt knowing that first-hand.
“It was nice to meet you, Shin! I’ll see you soon!” He calls as he bolts out the door and I am left alone once more.
“I hope so, my friend.” I whisper as I walk towards the door. I step over the threshold and my masquerade evaporates into thin air. I turn to look at the classroom before continuing through the hall. I don’t know why I only manifest in this room or why only those visited by the Reaper can interact with me but when you’re a ghost,
mystery is foregone conclusion.
