AsAThought
Chapter 1: The Third Bell Rumor
Part 2: The Other Side
Lingering irritation, seethed within Miyo since Maaya randomly yelled at her for no reason. She was just looking out for her friend and instead of a thanks she got yelled at. Miyo decided she wouldn’t talk to Maaya for the rest of the week, just so that high and might ponytail could keep her stupid ego in check. As she stomped away from the classroom, Hana for some reason followed suite.
As they walked along the slippery hallways, the downpour began to weaken, and with it, Miyo's heavy stomps gradually mellowed. The fury of the rain was now nothing but an echo, alongside the fading anthem of the second bell. After what seemed like a long enough walk, Miyo paused by the nearby vending machine, releasing a heavy sigh that seemed to carry the weight of her emotions. Meanwhile, Hana, who had remained quiet during their walk, finally found the courage to voice her thoughts.
“Miyo ... Are you still angry?" Hana asked, her voice carrying its usual gentleness as she observed Miyo's expressions. Hana had always been the gentlest soul within their group, and despite her difficulty in openly expressing emotions, she could often sense her friends' feelings. Even though Miyo was still mad, she didn't want to prolong the fight any further, but apologizing wasn’t exactly her strong suit.
"Of course, I am," Miyo retorted, her frustration still evident. "That insufferable egoist looked down on me just because I believed in that third bell rumor. I know it isn't true, but we should still be careful, right?" She looked at Hana, hoping for some understanding, and found solace in her friend's knowing smile.
"I can't believe she yelled at me, of all people. The heck with her," Miyo vented, fishing out some coins from her wallet to use in the vending machine. She then slotted the coins one by one and turned to Hana, asking,
"Grape Juice?"
Hana nodded, and Miyo proceeded to make their selections. After a few unhealthy clanks and karate kicks from Miyo, the vending machine finally yielded and delivered their chosen drinks.
"I sometimes wish I could read minds; you know?" Miyo mused aloud, handing Hana her drink. Watching her troubled friend sipping her own coffee while holding an extra one, Hana couldn't help but smile.
"I think you’re fine even without it," Hana reassured, popping open her grape juice.
"Heh, thanks. Still be really cool though," Miyo replied, with a grin.
The two friends stood together, providing silent companionship to the lonely old vending machine. Words were scarce during that moment, as Miyo found herself entranced by the rhythmic dance of raindrops, while Hana was captivated by the allure of the somber sky. The soft murmur from neighboring classrooms created a soothing ambience, harmonizing with the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops on the ground beyond. After a moment of respite, Miyo playfully kicked her coffee can away, and broke the silence.
“Let’s head back?” Miyo inquired, and Hana nodded in agreement.
As they strolled back to their classroom, Hana remained true to her quiet nature, while Miyo pondered ways to mend things with Maaya. Her gaze fixated on the lukewarm coffee can, lost in a whirl of thoughts as she walked. Approaching class 3C, Hana halted and tugged at Miyo's jacket.
"Miyo, she might still be angry," Hana gently reminded Miyo, who replied with a knowing nod.
"Probably, but not for long," Miyo's face brightened as she proudly held out a coffee can with a grin.
As the girls entered Class 3C, they were met with an eerie stillness that hung in the air like a thick fog. The silence was broken only by the gentle, rhythmic breaths of Maaya, the lone sleepyhead in the room. Her head lay upon her bag, cocooned in a deep slumber, completely oblivious to the world around her.
"She really went all-in for that nap, huh," Miyo whispered with a hint of amusement, and Hana couldn’t help but giggle in agreement.
“Wanna play a prank on her?” Miyo suggested mischievously, grabbing a nearby marker.
“You guys just fought a minute ago, and now you want to draw on her face? Do you have a dead wish, Miyo?” Hana quietly retorted, clearly annoyed by the idea.
“Oh, come on, it's just going to be a little moustache. How mad can she be?”
“Very, very mad,” Hana warned.
“Only if she noticed it,” Miyo countered and attempted to replicate a curly moustache on Maaya’s face.
"Miyo!" Hana snatched the marker from her friend, resulting in a brief tug-of-war that ended with the marker flying out of the classroom.
Miyo and Hana exchanged glances, their eyes fixating on the marker, which had finally settled at the center of the slippery hallways. The sharp sound of the marker hitting the concrete floor grabbed Maaya's attention, causing her to stir slightly in her sleep. Both girls held their breath, unsure if the noises would fully wake her up. Luckily for them, Maaya was a little too deep in sleep to wake up that easily.
Hana shook her head, silently indicating that she wouldn't get involved in whatever Miyo was planning. On the other hand, Miyo's mischievous grin widened as she eyed the nearby marker cans. Seeing her chance, Hana positioned herself in front of the cans, ready to intervene, but before she could make a move, Miyo unexpectedly dashed out of the classroom to retrieve the runaway marker.
Hana swiftly followed, trying to restrain her impulsive friend. The situation escalated quickly as they playfully tussled in the hallway, with the marker long forgotten. Just before the victor of their friendly dual became clear, it rang.
Miyo had heard the school bell countless times during her studies, but never had its sound been so deeply unsettling. The eerie ring of the third bell sliced through the air like a phantom's whisper, sending shivers down everyone's spine. Its tone was not crisp or clear, but rather a dissonant symphony of otherworldly echoes, as if the bell was tolling from the other side. The sound seemed to linger in the air, refusing to fade, as if it were displaying a stubborn existence.
Each ring carried a haunting resonance, akin to the sorrowful lament of lost souls trapped in an unseen realm. The ghostly melody of the bell seemed to coil around the very fabric of reality, instilling fear in anyone who heard it. As the melancholic toll of the bell persisted, a grim realization dawned upon the two girls. Miyo and Hana exchanged horrified looks before their gazes inevitably landed onto that one chair in class 3C.
That very chair that once cradled their dear friend Maaya, was now empty.
Part 2: End
