I’m My Own High School Rival: Nakamura’s Arc: Heritage

  I stopped outside the Softness Training cssroom and bowed to Ms. Hoshikawa.

  “Thank you again, Ms. Hoshikawa.”

  “No, thank you for agreeing. My girls were excited to have you. Come back tomorrow?”

  Cold chills ran down my spine. Another day in there, and someone’s going to take a bite out of me.

  “S-sure—I would love to.” Be your damn conditioning dummy.

  “Great, and like always, I will be with you.” Like you did when Christina tried to kiss me?

  I bowed again and started down the hallway.

  ***

  I was allowed to leave early to avoid any unwanted attention from girls who wanted to continue tempering.

  Overall, it was enjoyable, having so many girls fawning over me. I’d be more impressed if the gender roles weren’t flipped, or if I didn’t have this face.

  The sound of students rustling behind closed doors encouraged me to move faster. I wanted the lunch table across from Sakura.

  I’ve tried my best to give her my sibling love, but she keeps pushing me away.

  While walking, I came across two students loitering in the hallway.

  A boy holding a folded note, confessing his love. His face was flushed, and he couldn’t hold her gaze.

  However, she didn’t return his affection, and if she did, her face didn’t show it.

  After being forced to perform for two periods in a row, it’s refreshing to watch someone else’s act.

  Hold on. That girl looks familiar—her orange hair and strangely alluring figure made me feel like… I was burning to speak with her.

  I’ll just pass slowly. Maybe a closer look will jog my memory.

  Hands pced in pockets, head tilted down, I slowly walked past the pair. Watching, listening.

  “J-Jenie Nocturne, I-I wanted to give you this,” the boy bowed, extending the folded note with both hands, trembling.

  The girl, Jenie, started to reach for the note with one hand.

  Taking it with one hand… may as well spit in his face while you're at it.

  She hesitated, reached up with both hands, and accepted his letter.

  This girl seems lost in transtion. I bet she reads it in front of him, crushing his spirit.

  “I will read your letter in due time, updating you at your earliest convenience,” Jenie said, almost clinically.

  Weird.

  The boy bowed again, thanking her for taking the time to speak with him.

  It’s strange. When Kokiri girls interact with Kokiri boys, the reciprocity is charming, even if the girl doesn’t have feelings right away.

  “I hadn’t considered that. It’s good to know.”

  “Most people don’t—” The girl from the hallway said, holding my hand.

  "No!" I jumped to the side, hugging the wall.

  “I am Jenie.”

  A brief pause gave room for silence to take the stage,

  “Inner monologue is easier when you know the name of the other person.”

  My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you… reading my mind?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you're the genie?”

  “Yes.”

  “No… You can’t be. I’ve gone fifteen years without magical influence. Where have I seen you?”

  She cocked her head, thinking silently.

  “I’ve never taken a physical guise during your initial attempt at—”

  I covered her mouth, fearing she would say something that this world wasn’t ready for.

  However, my action was drawing unwanted attention, so I had to py it off.

  “You got a letter from another boy? That’s great! I hope you both find happiness.”

  “You can’t be here,” I whispered. “If this is some kind of joke, I’ll… I’m not sure what I’ll do, but it won’t be nice.

  Her deadpan expression made it impossible to dissect her.

  I’m going to let go. Please don’t say anything weird, or talk to me with your mind.

  She nodded, so I slowly let her go, questioning why she let me control her in the first pce.

  “I’m sorry if I’ve displeased you, but I am here, regardless of your fragile mental state.

  Running my fingers through my hair, I tried to focus on something that would ground me again.

  Without words or coercion, she handed me a folded letter, which I accepted.

  “What do you want me to do with this?”

  She started walking toward the cafeteria, to which I followed.

  “Damn it. Don’t just walk away like that.”

  “My apologies, but if we waited in the hallway, you wouldn’t get your seat.”

  The sound of our footsteps echoed in the hall.

  “Hey, don’t read my mind without permission.”

  I looked her over—she was short, but attractive. I can see why the young man gave her a note. Her orange hair and brown eyes gave her a warm feeling, offset by her dead expression, of course.

  “Is that how he analyzed this physical form as well?”

  I pouted. Repeating myself wouldn’t bring me any closer to having my own headspace.

  “Why now?” I said, zily swinging my arms.

  “Please read the letter so I can gauge the emotional response necessary to manifest a suitable response.”

  I sighed because this was supposed to be a sacred moment, but I guess that only applies if you’re human.

  Unfolding the paper, it read.

  Jenie Nocturne, whenever you’re close to me, my heart wants to feel your embrace, but my hands won’t move. So, I’m writing this letter, hoping you might feel the same. My eyes are watering with every pen stroke, fearing your rejection. But I can no longer reject these feelings that I’ve had since middle school. I’m sorry if this letter is long, but writing this letter makes me happy; you make me happy; the thought of us being together forever brings a smile to my face. Teach me how to love, please be my…sis.

  My heart throbbed, and my hands shook, reminding me that I could sympathize with other people.

  This kid was asking Jenie to bear his children, just as I had with Christine.

  “So, that’s how he felt?”

  I covered my face because I felt sorry for the poor boy. Tears began to swell in my eyes because it’s no easy task, falling in love with something incapable of love.

  “You… better not reject him,” words nearly as foreign to me as I am to Kokiri.

  “Why not?”

  “If you do, I’ll hurt you.” A flicker of life shone in her eyes, causing her expression to change.

  “No!”

  “Jenie… I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just something we say to each other.”

  She grabbed her wrist and created a gap between us, as if I had hurt her just now.

  If she truly was the genie, being human has changed her into something… soft?

  “Did someone hurt you?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m… sorry, but if you deny that boy, he’s going to feel hurt for days. If you must tell him no, do it gently, please.”

  Now, get back over here—eavesdropping freak.

  She didn’t move any closer or respond.

  Jenie, can you hear my thoughts? Please answer.

  She continued walking on the other side of the hallway. I didn’t feel her presence in my head.

  Maybe she couldn’t read my mind after all, or maybe she had to be close to pry my thoughts open.