Chapter Two : The Shadow

"Alright class, we'll continue this tomorrow. Don't forget to do your homework! Goodbye," our Japanese teacher said as we stand up and bow our heads.

"Thank you, Sensei!" we all said as our teacher walks out of the door.

We have two to three language classes, one every week. And this week is a Japanese language class. For our class schedule, we have Math at eight in the morning right after our twenty minutes morning exercises. After that, we have a science class for an hour and then a fifteen-minute break. Next, we have 45 minutes social class and another forty-minute gym exercise every Mon-Wed-Fri before lunch.

I have no idea why they require a lot of time with the students just exercising. I suppose they prioritize more of the students' health than anything else? 

I let out a tired sigh before fixing my things and walking quietly out of the room. I just hope I would last for a year without my parents knowing about my situation here in school. I do not want them to constantly worry about me.

As I'm walking through the busy crowds in the hallway, I saw every group of friends talking to each other and giggling. I saw every group of friends talking to each other and giggling.

Opening my locker, I put my extra books inside and only grabbed my notebooks with an assignment. As I was closing my locker, I heard three familiar voices pass by me. 

"You got A+ again in Math Brenia!" I heard Dania exclaim, as they approach their lockers.

"And you fail again in your English literature? Care to explain Dania?" I heard Brenia reply as I peek at what they are doing.

I always thought Brenia to be bossy since she rarely shows any emotion, but when she does it's either she's glaring or looking bored. And sometimes I witness her lecturing some kids in the elementary section, and fighting some guys in the older section. That's why I thought she was a bully.

"Eh? It's because it's so boring! You know I hate reading and stuff," answered Dania as she hugs Brenia's left arm.

This is the reason why I thought she's so clingy because for some reason she always clings to either Brenia or Airel and sometimes to other guys.

"You are hopeless!" Brenia said while shaking her head.

"You two... Brenia is right though, you should pay more attention to your subjects Dania," Airel added while shaking her head, but she laughs softly.

I remove my gaze from them and my locker before walking away.

~~~

Stretching my limbs, I continue walking on the streets. Even though I came to school with my brother, I always ended up walking home alone after school. That is because my brother still has after-school activities he always attends. He never talked to me about his after-school activities but I am sure my parents know about them.

But it's fine since I enjoy getting some fresh air while sightseeing around.

Besides, it's not like my home is that far from school. And there is a shortcut I've discovered before. The shortcut is a small pathway near the city park, which is not that crowded during weekdays.

It's also a safe pathway considering, there are security cameras that are always blinking on that street.

I'm humming a random song that my brain randomly remembered when I heard footsteps from behind.

I wasn't that completely surprised since this street is a Main Street after all. And students are walking on this street anyway.

Well... that's what I thought, but when I glance around. Everything is quiet, and not a single person is to be seen. I can feel a shiver run down my spine as I gulp. 

Something is weird about the atmosphere... how come everyone suddenly disappears?

I slowly swallow the candy that was sitting in my mouth. It was a soft candy, so it didn't hurt my throat. Clenching the handle of my bag tightly, I try to walk as normally as I could master. 

*Bathump! Bathump!*

Calm down... there must be a reasonable explanation why this happened, right?

A shadow shape of a person appeared behind me. The more I try to walk faster, the more it follows me. Turning around to the different alleyway, I tried to lose the shadow. Since I wasn't paying attention to where I'm heading, I ended up walking to a dead end.

I took a deep breath while creating various scenarios in my head. I slowly turn around to face whoever was following me, ready to kick them in the place where it hurts the most.

But...

No one was there, the streets are empty.

As I'm starting to question whether it's just my imagination. A somewhat floating shadow appeared in front of me. I tried blinking to see if it will disappear.

"..."

It didn't...

It's just there, staring at me.

I took a step back, that's when it moved. I flinch thinking it's going to hurt me, but a sweet sound echoes in the air.

I got mesmerized by the sound that I unconsciously followed it. The next thing I know, I'm standing in the middle of the park.

"How did I get here?!" I exclaimed while looking around.

"I brought you here, my lady," a feminine voice whispers from behind.

I turn around so fast that my world spins. I stumble forward but someone catches me.

"Be careful! You almost hit the ground, my lady!" I heard the girl say with slight panic in her voice.

"T-thank you..." I mumble as I steady myself.

It's a bit embarrassing to be this clumsy in front of a stranger. As I fix myself, I took this chance to look at the girl in front of me. The girl looks two years older than me. She has long bluish-purple hair, same with her eyes and she's holding a flute of some sort.

I glanced at her outfit. It's quite different than any clothes available here. I think it is pretty similar to a dress worn by a game character I saw before.

"Is there a problem? My lady?" Her question snaps me out of my thoughts. I met her eyes when I realized she had been calling me something weird this whole time.

"Hold on... why are you calling me like that?" I asked, I'm hesitant to repeat those words since it's quite embarrassing.

The girl looked confused for a moment before asking, "Like what? 'My lady?'."

"Yes! That! Why are you calling me like that?"

"Well, it's because it's a normal thing to call you? Although I should probably call you more formally like your highness," she mutters to herself while thinking.

This girl is probably confusing me with someone else. I took a step back while she was busy muttering to herself.

"Well... I think I should go. It's getting late," I turn around and try to run away but immediately halt when she pops out in front of me.

"H-how did you do that?!" I exclaimed in shock as I almost stumble backward.

"Why are you so shocked about some simple tricks like this? I don't understand... you're supposed to be already informed. But I guess I arrived too early here. Well then... I supposed I would talk to you some other time. For now, please be safe my lady," The weird girl said as she disappears into the air.

I froze for a moment, still thinking she is still here somewhere but...

"What is that girl doing?" I heard a voice whisper.

That's only when I realize there are people and students here at the park. It was only me and that girl earlier but now...

I fixed myself and lowered my head. I let my hair cover my face as I run away.

I can feel my whole face burning in embarrassment, my heart also beating faster and faster inside my ribcage.

'Just what in the world happened?!'