{“Won’t you hear my story?”-Ayano Reiji}
Social suicide. That’s a word people have been using more and more often these days. Essentially, it happens when you associate yourself with someone who’s been deemed unfit for contact with others, to make it not seem too shallow. A person to be avoided at all costs. At my new school, that someone is Miyamoto Rin, supposed weirdo extraordinaire. She’s been infamous since middle school, when she would disappear for weeks at a time and say odd things, according to rumors I’ve heard. She would say “They’re coming…” or something like that. She’s a busybody all right. But enough about her; what about me?
I’m Ayano Reiji, a second year high school student from Nagoya, Aichi. Living in an industrialized town like Nagoya for so long made it somewhat hard to believe that I’d be moving to some obscure rural city in a different prefecture. San’in, it’s called. But here I am anyway, shifting boxes around in my aunt’s house while my parents are off somewhere. Frankly, I’m not sure what they’re doing or where they are. “Trips” like these are common for my parents, but I’ve never had to go live with a relative as a result before. (Though since last year, I never go with them.) Of course, this is immensely clichéd. I mean, think about it. Parents aren’t around. My aunt works nights and all day on weekends at some obscure place that I never learned about. Meaning I practically live alone. Cliché.
Anyway, back to now. Box after box I unpack, unsure of what I’ll be doing. Luckily, my parents just happened to pick a new semester to leave. This way, I’m not the only new kid. What this means, I’ve yet to discover. I finish unpacking and pull out my new uniform. No different than the standard, outside of the color. Most of the uniform is a REALLY light green, like a leaf that takes itself way too seriously, if that makes sense. I set it on a chair and look outside. Still some light, so I may as well go out.
Sliding down the wooden rail on the barren staircase, I flit down to the living room hallway. My aunt, the quite-eccentric Ayano Maya, is watching the television while munching on a bag of chips. I find it hard to believe that she can keep the figure she does the way she eats. But that’s not really relevant, is it? On a more relevant note, school finally starts tomorrow. While I do somewhat dread the new semester, I also want to know the people I’ll be spending the next who-knows-how-long with. Nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, I’ve heard rumors of some insane girl at my school. I’ll be the judge of that, but she seems like she’s crazy. To accentuate my point, I run into the rumors again as soon as I leave the house.
“Did ya see the new class rosters they mailed us? Glad I’m not in the same class as that Miyamoto girl…” Some kid that goes to one of the only schools here whispers. See what I mean? I don’t know if she’s that bad, but I’m sure as hell not gonna find out myself. Sit back and observe; that’s my motto.
“Hrm. Didn’t get dumped with her either. Guess we got lucky, huh?” His friend laughs, relieved.
“Luck of the draw. Not many newbies in our class either. As far as remember, none here.” The first one replies.
“Same here again. Too bad we’re not in the same class, but with 3 classes, you can’t ask for much more than ‘no Miyamoto Rin’, can you? I was stuck with her in eighth grade, and boy was it hell. Seems like they lumped all of the new kids with Miyamoto. I feel bad for ‘em.”
“We did our time. No need for us to…” They go on with their conversation and keep walking, while I go in the opposite direction. Who is this ‘Miyamoto Rin’ person, anyway? And why do people think she’s strange? I guess I’ll figure it out tomorrow, if they’re correct in me being in the same class as her with all of the new students. Why would the administration do that? I decide to go to the nearest park and laze around.
“Last day of vacation, and I didn’t do squat… And now it’s past three.” I sulk, suddenly wanting to go back to the first day of vacation. My stomach goes into a full revolt, making audible grumbling noises. Oh, yeah… I haven’t eaten today, have I? I get up and walk to the front of the park, getting ramen from a vendor in the way.
“So…now what?” I ask to no one in particular. I’m bored already. What a drag, me having nothing to do… Maybe I should go back home? Nah. Too much work. I’m too lazy to move right now. Instead, I go to sleep! A much easier choice, no? Well, no point in working myself up, right? Nap time!
...Two hours later…
“Hey, Reiji. Wake up.” Maya pokes me in the side repeatedly for seemingly no reason.
“Leave me be. I’m sleeping.” I mumble, annoyed.
“It’s getting late. Besides, I have your class roster.” She replies.
“Do you!?” THAT wakes me up. I sit up and snatch the paper from her hand. Locating my name, I check the list. Maybe they were wrong and just missed her name. Miyamoto… Miyamoto… Miyamoto… Miyamoto Rin! There her name is. Riiiiiight in the middle. Just my luck. I end up in the same class as the one person I hoped to avoid. Well, it’s not like I’ll be forced to interact with her, right? Besides, what could make her excessively odd so nobody likes her? I hop to my feet and follow Maya back home.
“So you’re in that Miyamoto girl’s class, huh? She’s an odd egg, all right. Always saying something weird. She disappeared for a few days last year, too. Ran away because of the gossip and rumors. I guess she couldn’t take it anymore. Cops found her in the river.” I open my mouth to protest their behavior, but Maya silences me by continuing. “I know. It’s not right. The weirdest thing is that we never really looked. She was found on accident. Anyway, she’s been silent ever since. She goes home, wraps herself in a blanket, and wanders in obscure circles. Somehow, I think it’s our fault. She’s a smart girl, though. Straight As, nine years running. Maybe all she needs is a friend.”
“No way, Aunt Maya. While I do feel bad for her, I intend to lie low this semester, and every other one following. Safer that way.” I deadpan. Bored to death, I trundle inside. “Safer is better.” Besides, I’d rather not have to deal with any supposed psychos in my first year. I’m trying to break the clichés here! On that note, I flop onto my new bed and go to sleep. Of course, being my first in a new place, it’s a fitful night. Well, there are other reasons too. I try and fail not to think too much about why Miyamoto would run away. I know rumors suck, but that can’t be the only reason. There’s something else going on here.
…The next morning…
School has started. Or will in twenty minutes. I’m finally on my way, as depressing as it is. Apparently, the two guys were right. Since there’s no Student Council to veto the idea, all new students were dumped in one class with Miyamoto Rin. Down the street I wander, taking a good look at my new school. It looks like the most clichéd school one could think of. Cherry blossoms sway in a light breeze, the petals scatter themselves, students catch up, and cliques are obvious. Oh, yeah… Even the new students live here, so they know each other. Everyone’s already in a group, minus one girl who’s off on her own.
Tall and thin with wire-framed glasses and shoulder-length jet-black hair, she looks longingly at people as they speak with friends. Her uniform is impeccably neat, and she doesn’t talk to anyone. In all, she doesn’t look that bad. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and say she’s cute! (I know, I know. Bad time to say that.) Every once in a while, she’ll reach out for something, but will pull her hand back and look even more depressed. Seeing her dejected face, you’d think that someone had wronged her. Given how people are ignoring her, she must be the infamous Miyamoto. (Meaning that they HAVE wronged her, but I still won’t get involved.) Even the new students have joined groups, and she hasn’t been included in any of them. A bunch of groups, and two loners. Does that link the two of us!? She’s holding a sheet of paper, and cradles it like she’s conflicted. I wonder momentarily what it is, but I ignore the impulse to ask and go in.
Class starts, and we all sit where we want to. This is the first time I’ve been able to do that since early grade school, but I don’t know anyone so it doesn’t even matter. This’ll be a tough semester. I sit in a random seat in the front of class to avoid the other students as much as possible. Miyamoto walks in, scans the room and sniffles. I guess that she knows that people are hoping not to have her sit next to them, huh? There’re three seats open. One next to me; one four rows behind me, near some obnoxious-looking guys; and one across the room, next to a group of giggling girls. Of course, that makes the one near me the only logical choice, huh? Damn my luck.
“Hi…” Miyamoto whispers and stares forward after sitting down. “I’m Miyamoto Rin, but you probably already know that.” She falls silent and refuses to say anything else. I start to reply, but stop. After a while, I give up and introduce myself.
“Looks like we’ll be sitting next to each other, huh? I’m Ayano Reiji.” I hesitantly muse, letting a small bit of my interest show. No point in being a total tool, right?
“So, class. We’ll be going over the class roster for attendance until those lazy bastards in the office give me a real attendance sheet. So, I’ll go through all of the names. Though they aren’t in alphabetical order… This is why I’m glad our school has finally selected a Student Council. Or, one person who’ll recruit others. But at this point, it just seems like a mean joke…” She curses under her breath, looking directly at Miyamoto. She shakes her head and goes through the list. Our teacher looks like the laid-back type. Tall and lithe, the black-haired teacher regards her makeshift attendance list with utter disdain. “Why’d they pick someone who they know won’t recruit anyone for the Student Council, anyway?” She mutters quietly, sneaking a concerned glance at Miyamoto.
Nothing much happens for the first five periods, but I’m glad lunch has arrived. Before I can bolt, Miyamoto puts her hand on my shoulder.
“Ayano Reiji. I wish to speak with you.” Miyamoto’s voice never eclipses a hushed tone.
“Hm? Miyamoto, is it? Miyamoto Rin?” Aw, dammit! This is EXACTLY what I was trying to avoid! And the cliché continues…
“Erm… I’m the President of the new Student Council, and… Never mind.” Miyamoto stops abruptly and looks away. She starts to run away, but I stop her. Why? Because I’m too damn nice for my own good.
“Hey. You want me to join, right? Sure, why not?” What am I doing!? Stop, nice streak! Be a jerk! Blow her off! Do something, but PLEASE don’t join the Student Council with this person!
“Thank you. Everyone else would say no, and I’m afraid to make an announcement about it. I’d be laughed at.” She admits sheepishly. She seems unhappy. Sad, even. “You’d think that after all of my time on Earth…”
“Eh? I’m lost here.” I must not have heard that right. ‘Time on Earth’? As in, as opposed to another planet?
“Oh… I haven’t told you? I’m an alien. You can just call me Rin.” And that’s why they call her odd. And I just… Oh, my high school life is officially over. Nothing to see here, please move on. That’s when the ground started shaking.
“They’re coming…” Miyamoto whispers. Due to the timing, I’m suddenly not so skeptical!
“Who’s coming!?” I ask, panicked. The students scramble for handholds and cover. I, however, fall on my butt and yelp.
“Other aliens… They’re coming to destroy Earth.” She says this so calmly. And then things get worse. What have I gotten myself in to!?
“Oh, crap!” The lights go out and people begin to scream. Is this an alien invasion!?
{“Won’t you hear my story?”-Ayano Reiji}
“What do you mean, ‘destroy the Earth’!?” I panic. She’s either crazy, or we’re screwed. The rumbling still hasn’t stopped, though, and it’s freakin’ dark in here, so I’m inclined to believe her. Soon after I admit the possibility to myself, the rumbling stops, and the lights flicker back on, minus the few bulbs that exploded.
“…They didn’t come.” Miyamoto sits back down, looking depressed. “That makes the ninth false alarm this year. Maybe…” She falls silent. Who knows what’s going on in her messed-up head?
“Maybe?” I’m confused again.
“Nothing. Please show up at today’s Student Council meeting.” Miyamoto says nothing further, does her work, and looks out the window.
“…” Something’s wrong. Despite her insanity, it’s hard to look at Miyamoto so unhappy and unfulfilled. Maybe she was really hoping to not seem crazy today. Now that I think of it, she hasn’t made an attempt to talk to anyone but me. I wonder why.
Class ends, and Miyamoto gets up and leaves immediately, lightly tugging on my arm on her way out of the room. I follow, unsure of what else to do. Ah, well. Here’s yet another major disappointment today. Am I being selfish? I probably am. Miyamoto stops at a room labeled “SYD”. Why it’s in English, I have no idea. Then again, Yakuindomo High is known to be odd, according to my aunt.
I follow Miyamoto inside, and she shuts the door and leans against it, eyes closed.
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” Miyamoto doesn’t miss a beat.
“Sort of, but-”
“No… It’s okay. I think I’m crazy too. It’s been so long. Don’t you think that if aliens were coming, then nine years would be enough? Have they abandoned me?” Miyamoto looks out the window, solemn as usual. She begins speaking in an odd dialect, obviously made up. After ten minutes, I try speak up, unable to see her do this to herself any longer.
“Miyamoto, I…” I don’t finish. What can I say to help? ‘Oh, you’re not crazy, just insane!’ or something of the like? I’m not stupid.
“…No. That’s not it, is it?” Miyamoto looks me in the eye. “That’s not it at all. They can’t abandon me, because I’m not an alien. Because I’m not an alien… Then…” Miyamoto’s eyes begin to water. “But then…”
“Miyamoto?” I want to help. Or rather, my nicer side does. Common sense tells me to run and never look back.
“Then I’m human. And if I’m human, then I’m mortal, like every other human. And… That means…” Miyamoto begins openly crying. Something’s wrong. “I can’t be human, but I can’t be anything else! Fancy versus fact, and fact wins out, so I’m human. And if I’m… If I’m human, then…”
“That’s okay. It doesn’t matter if you’re alien or not.” I add helpfully.
“But it does. Aliens don’t need kidneys. So it won’t matter when my last one fails if I’m an alien! But I’m not alien. So…I’m going to die.” Rin falls to her knees, distraught and utterly crushed. “Ayano, will… Will you be the only person to show up to my funeral?”
Whoa. I had no idea that being an ‘alien’ was her only form of hope. Maya was right. She does need a friend, but not for the reasons she thought. She’s so lonely, and Miyamoto’s sure that she’ll die that way. But “only”? What about her parents?
“…Why not? In fact, sure. But before that, how about we try to get some work done here?” I have to ask… What happened to my “normal” life?
“Okay, Reiji.” Calling me by my first name already!? “First of all, we need to address the class roster issue. We’ll need to make a real attendance list for every class. And clubs will start soon, so we have a few proposals for those.” Miyamoto pulls out a stack of about a hundred papers and hands me half of it, along with a stamp.
“These need approval?” I ask.
“Yes.” Miyamoto is still sullen and disheartened. Wait, don’t people have two kidneys?
“Hey. I know that this is personal, but… What happened to your other kidney?”
“I…I tried to donate it to my brother, but the transplant failed. And when it failed, he… His name was Reiji too, you know. But the doctor could only take my healthy one. When I first decided that I wasn’t human, I still had an extra kidney to rely on. A healthy one. But when the transplant failed three years ago… I had to have something to cling on to. Can’t you see? That delusion was my form of peace and hope! And now that’s gone… And now…” Sad story. Really, I feel bad now for thinking that she was insane.
“How long has it been since you really believed in that? Your heart wasn’t in it when you told me that you were an alien today, was it?”
“A year and a half. By then, the damage had been done. I couldn’t meet anyone new, because it’s so rare for people to move here. And everyone else thought I was crazy.”