More mysteries revealed! xD

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The school went on as usual, for everyone else, that is. I was extremely bored since Yuko wasn't here. Oh yeah.... That reminds me. Yuko's on a trip to Egypt, Japan, India, France and Africa with Trichia. He said that Trichia was growing remarkably and now it was time to have her interact with people of different cultures, thus moving on with his experiment, which also included her finally parting with our family. Because of Trichia's absence, home has gotten a bit gloomy too, especially for mother who came to think of Trichia as her own child. As for me, well, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't miss her. I used to teach her various things, all the way from human ethics to properly talking with people to making appropriate facial expressions in different situations. She already had a fair grasp of most of it by observing those around her. Other than that, I must say she has an amazing memory which, I guess is kind of obvious since she's a robot. But she also has amazing understanding of concepts. Once, she made up a joke and was pretty happy about it. I guess that's because she understands the concept of humor? Ah Trichia, I guess I will miss her a lot.

*Ahem* No! I wont think about it anymore! I already said my goodbyes. Yes, its all for the best. She had to leave us sooner or later. Its useless to think about something you can do nothing about, so let's put our minds in more productive places, like the maths class I'm in.

*trin* *trin* *trin*

Ah, just when I thought of seriously putting my mind to study, the period ended.

(Looks like I'm destined to be bored today.)

I purposefully stopped my chain of thought from going to the earlier topic and kept the Maths textbook back in my bag.

(Which period is next?)

I looked around to see which textbook everyone was taking out but what came into view were either my classmates heading to their respective friend's desks with lunchboxes in their hand or going out to the cafeteria in groups.

(Yipee! Its lunch break!)

And you know what that means................... Oh yeah, I guess you don't. Well... I forgot to mention another very important thing. Truthfully, I didn't exactly forget it. Its just that.. Umm, I dont know how to say this. You see, it's a bit complicated. *deep breath* Okay, I'll just come out with it, and I promise this is the last secret I've kept from you guys.

Ahem.

*cough cough*

*gargle gargle*

*breathe in*

*breathe out*

*breathe in*

*breathe out*

Okay. So it's something like this. Remember the girl I saved from the delinquents? Yeah, her.... Umm.. Turned out she was Puali's sister. Quite a coincidence huh? Hahahaha.. Haha.. Ha.. Ha.. Ahhhem. Okay, time for details!

Well, since I did escort her home after the incidence, obviously I would be invited in. Though I tried to refuse, I just couldn't once I saw Pauli. And, we got to talking about various stuff (though I was profusely sweating the entire time) and I don't know if it was due to the feeling of gratitude for helping her sister, or some other reason, she opened up to me quite well and we became good friends despite what happened 3 months ago.

So how is it related to the lunchbreak, you ask? Well, I'm sure everyone already has an idea. It's spot on, of coarse. We eat lunch together.

Hahahahaha....

Hahaha..

Haha..

Ha..

Ha..

...

...

...

...

So anyways, that's how it is and even though I still sometimes have the delusions as if we're feeding each other like couples while going 'aaahhh.. ❤', I'm proud to say that I'm slowly getting used to it.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

I looked at the person who called out. Pauli was already standing in front of me with her lunch in her hand.

"Whoa.." I almost got a shock as I came back to my senses, "Oh sorry, I spaced out for a moment."

I hurriedly took out my own lunch from my bag as I sat down.

"You space out quite a lot. Although its getting less than before, I'm still worried. I'm telling you, you should go see a doctor." Pauli said with a look of worry on her face while dragging a nearby chair to my desk.

"Dont worry. I'm sure it's nothing." I said with a wry smile.

(No need for a doctor. I already know the cause. It's right in front of me.)

We started eating our lunch while talking about various things. Since my boredom flew out the window, time now seemed to flow quicker than before, a fact that I loathed. I wished this could go on forever but alas, time won't change its pace for the sake of a love-struck high schooler. So I decided to enjoy while I could.

We talked about various things while offering some part of our lunches to each other time to time. Well even though I say that, we didn't talk all that much. Pauli's somewhat the quiet type. She doesn't say much in particular unless necessary or if spoken to. So we just spoke about a few subjects here and there and I asked her a few riddles which I 'happened' to read last night on the internet. Its not like I was intentionally searching for conversation material, you know.

There is one important conversation I had with Pauli a while ago that i wanna tell you about. This happened in Pauli's room after I had saved her sister from the delinquents. It goes like this-

"Hey Pauli, mind if I ask you something?"

She just looks at me as if permitting to speak further.

"Umm.. How do you feel about Yuko?"

Her gaze suddenly gets sharper.

"Why do you ask?"

I get a bit tense due to the obvious change in her demeanor.

"Well, he's the only person whom you.. don't seem too fond of."

She made a complicated face at my remark.

"Ahh. I'm sorry! Forget I said anything!" I said frantically. It felt as if I got too personal.

"Haaaahh.." She sighed with a bit of amusement at my reaction but it soon faded.

"Its alright. And you're right. I'm.. 'not too fond' of him. I'm sorry. Its not like he ever said or did anything to me but....."

Then she again made a complicated face and paused, as if choosing her next words carefully. Then she heaved another sigh, this time, albeit, in a defeated manner.

"......Its jealousy."

"......." I was a bit shocked but didn't say anything and just waited for her to continue.

"I know its wrong of me to think like that but I can't help it. It doesn't feel good to always be the second, you know."

Ohhh!!!! So its that! I kind of had the feeling but frankly, I didn't think Pauli to have that kind of character. I had the feeling she was a nonchalant type. I probably got that from Yuko and my sister. Not every smart person in the world is carefree. But in the end, I guess its good that she is atleast honest with herself.

"......I was always the first in my class no matter which school I was in. Everyone would look up to me as the brightest student...... Until high school, that is. Then your best friend came along and...took my spot." She said the last bit with a hint of malice in her voice.

Something was bugging me and just now I realised what it was when she said 'your best friend'. She didn't once call Yuko by his name. Its like she doesn't want to recognise his existence.

I looked at her and her shoulders trembled. She bit her lip and looked down to avoid my gaze.

"I...i'm s..sorry. I..I......" Her voice started getting heavy as if she was about to cry.

"Its okay." I said with the kindest tone I could muster.

She lifted her head slowly. I could see her eyes a bit watery. I started creeping closer to her, opening my arms to the side, constantly observing her for any signs of reluctance. When I saw none, I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a tight hug. She first went limp, as if unable to comprehend what was happening, then slowly her arms started behind my back and her head on my shoulder. Her arms also wrapped around me, though without any strength and she silently wept on my shoulder.

Then I realised.

(Damn it! What the fuck am I doing!?)

I completely forgot about my stupid heart and right now it was beating so fast, I'm pretty sure even a bullet train would bow down before it!

(I can't even get away!)

Well 'technically', I could get away but 'morally'!?

Even though I say that, I was so happy right now that I could jump off a cliff!

But! But! AAAAAHRRGG!!

(Calm down! Yes, I need to calm down!)

It was time to tap into my soul and look for that ancient technique passed down from generation to generation. To count prime numbers!!!

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pauli. Pauli. Pauli. Pauli. Aaaahhh!!! Pauli's not a prime number! And even before that it was normal counting! Aaaaaahhh!!!)

(Shit! Shit! Shit its not working! My heart's gonna burst!)

I tried moving a bit to try and make a little distance but I only ended up rubbing against her breasts.

.............

...........

.........

.......

.....

...

(AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH*kachak*HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhaa?)

I heard a sound from the 'real' world as my inner world was in a frenzy. Fortunately(or unfortunately?), my head was facing the door over Pauli's back, which, I was still in the process of hugging. And what I saw was Pauli's sister standing at the now open door looking at us while going red as a tomato. As our eyes made contact, she closed the door and ran away. I felt Pauli shifting. She left my embrace and looked aback.

"I..I think I should go." I said to Pauli's back.

As Pauli faced me again, I could tell the confusion in her eyes. But before she had a chance to ask anything, I opened the window and jumped out.

Why jump out the window, you ask? I HAVE NO IDEA MYSELF! Fortunately, her room was on the ground floor, so I made an easy landing and ran away towards the horizon.

So now I stop my story and remind you that we're in the middle of the lunch break. What? Antinclimatic? Well, what else did you expect? Its the real world, not a dumb light novel written by a dumb author.

So where were we?

*Trin* *Trin* *Trin*

.

.

.

I think the school bell might be my arch enemy.

Everyone started returning to their desks, even Pauli.

"Dont go!"

Pauli turned around to look at the me who shouted after her.

(Crap! Did i say that out loud?)

"Umm...", I was looking for words to say, "Which period is next?"

(Ohhhh! Nice save!)

"English." She said and returned back to her seat without giving any thought to my weirdness. I think she got used to it.

(Phew..)

I breathed a sigh of relief and got ready to prepare myself for the upcoming battle, which was against my boredom.

(Haaahh.. Lets just study.)