Chapter 5: Transparent Girl

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It's the next day, which means it's my third day of high school. I dashed out of the classroom as soon as the after-school bell chimed. Actually, I might have had a head start now that I think about it. 

Where else would I be going but the light music classroom? It's Wednesday, which means club activities are on break for today, but that doesn't mean there aren't events that aren't within my control in order to change my youth. 

Today is the day I meet Shigure Narahara. I don't know if it's because she knew the club had a day off today, but we bumped into each other in the empty club room. I can't remember what we talked about my first time here. It was probably some idle talk, since that was the first and only time I talked with her. 

In order to steer her away from her tragic future, I better think of a plan to change her course, even if only slightly. In my head, I think of whatever line would have the strongest on her impact, in order to keep her engaged and talking.

The light music room is in the old building. Most clubs meet in this building nowadays. In order to not bother other nearby club rooms, soundproofing foam is slapped onto the walls, but of course, it really isn't effective. That being said, the door isn't even locked, despite the day off today. It's only now that I've been given a second chance that having the door unlocked is a bit careless, with all the equipment within the room. 

I take a deep breath and ready as I find myself right in front of the club door. I feel more nervous than usual. I know if I open the door, Shigure Narahara might be on the other side. Steeling myself, I forcefully open the door.

"Ngh...!"

The other person in the room looks on with shock in response to my opening the door.

And right before my eyes is the freshman, Shigure Narahara, doing nothing in particular in the empty clubroom. 

My first impression of her is that she's a knockout beauty. It might be weird to use the phrase "First impression", given this is my second go around, but still. Her glass-like eyes, her long fluttering hair that feels like it could disappear if you touch it, and her stoic face, barely showing any change. It might not even make any sense, but she's so transparent, that anything else that's transparent loses its meaning immediately. I calm myself down after admiring her. I have to get ready to speak my line.

"Hey, wanna join a band with me?"

I decided to go with something simple, but effective. Regardless, I'm determined to not let the events of the future come to fruition.

"No way."

Shigure answers immediately.

Well, I didn't expect anything else. Having someone you don't even know ask you if you want to join a band would obviously seem downright weird. It's not like I was expecting some sort of happy-go-lucky answer agreeing to my proposition from the very start.

We really only talked once in my first go around, so if I'm able to change anything, that would be good enough for me. Like with Noguchi before, even small changes in my speech can have huge ripple effects later on.

"Darn. And here I thought people who would show up to the clubroom on the day off would be gung ho to join a band."

I see a very slight reaction from her. 

"The club's off today?"

"Yep. We're off every Wednesday. Which means no one will come no matter how long you wait."

Seems like she doesn't know that Wednesday is the day off for whatever reason. Maybe she found herself drawn to here, as if she could pinpoint the exact location where there might be music.

"But you're here."

"That's because I'm not a club member yet. I mean, hey, we're both freshmen."

I show her my shoes. Our school has specific indoor shoes for each year. There's a colored line that's different for each year. Ours is green. She seems even more suspicious now that she knows we're in the same year.

"But there's no point in coming here then... You're not even a club member, so what's even the point?"

"I already told you, if there are people here on the club's day off, that means they have the passion to want to join a band."

It's a bit forced, but I think it's a good enough reason to keep things flowing smoothly. 

"I play the drums. How about we team up?"

"No."

"Oh, do you play the drums too then?"

I already know Shigure doesn't play the drums, but I can't let the conversation just die here.

"No, it's not that... I just like to sing alone."

"Oh, so you're a vocalist! That's an even better reason we should form a band together!"

"Just stop."

"Why?"

"I hate bands."

Shigure is upfront in her rejection of forming a band with me. This is the first time I'm hearing of this. This might be the end of the rope for me today, but I think today was successful nonetheless. Now I need to figure out the reason for her hatred of bands. If I don't, she'll leave the school like last time, making my plan for a fruitful youth all for naught.

"Why do you hate bands?"

"It's none of your business. I'm going now."

She storms out of the classroom, saying that.

"Ah, wait! My name is Tohru Shibakusa! Remember that!

Just before she leaves, I manage to give her my name, but I'm not sure if she heard me or not. I just hope it reaches her.

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Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! If you could, it would be great if you rate this series five stars and book mark it! Thanks as always.

 

Also, the title for this chapter is named after Number girl's 透明少女. It's a great song so please give it a listen!

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