Editing City Series:Volume7 Layer 3 (section)

===Record 11: All of a Sudden===

'''04/18/1997

'''11:12

The 1st terms’ academic tests had begun.

During the break between 3rd and 4th period, I sat on the windowsill of the 2nd story classroom with my legs hanging outside. Everyone else was busy reviewing, but this wasn’t the kind of test that took problems out of the textbooks and knowing when to just give up was an important life lesson.

Then Sensei spoke from the front of the class.

“The next test takes problems straight from the textbook I’ve been using with you. Aren’t you lucky?”

Yeah, it was definitely time to just give up. For me and only me this time.

''Whatever,'' I decided, looking up into the sky.

Then I heard a voice from below. It was your voice.

“That’s dangerous, you know?”

You must have been walking between classes. You held a music textbook and came to a stop among the walking students to look up at me.

“What? Were you thinking of jumping from there?”

“Kyah! You’ll see my underwear!”

''Oh, she just threw a pebble at me. Ow. Ow ow ow. Stop that. Ow ow. That is not a pebble. It’s a dang rock. Practically a boulder.

Anyway, I sighed and placed my hands on the windowsill.

“Is your music test up next?”

“It is. We have to perform our Words. Hey, are you listening?”

“Yeah, I am. I’m listening like you wouldn’t believe. See, you don’t believe me. …Hey, stop trying to run away while I amuse myself.”

You looked back and breathed an exaggerated sigh.

“Here’s the thing.”

“Yeah?”

“No, never mind. I’m too ticked off right now.”

“What, you won’t even answer me now? I’ll shout to the whole school you don’t play fair!! Wait, I just did.”

You clicked your tongue, spread your feet a bit, and raised you right index finger.

“Listen. I don’t want to hear another word out of you.”

“You got it.”

“That was three words already.”

I really wished someone would make you play fair and restore my social standing, but you remained as unfair as ever.

“I’m sure you’ve heard, but the top scorers on these academic tests will be given preferential treatment on the Mountain entrance exam.”

I had indeed heard that, but even so…

“Huh, that’s news to me. What’s your point?”

You frowned, looked up at me, and started to speak.

“––––”

But you turned your back to me and continued walking toward the music room.

You knew all too well that inviting me to the Mountain would have led to me saying “this sure is sudden” and then following you like we were going right away.

You still looked somewhat conflicted, but I knew you would get over it eventually. And sooner rather than later.

“I should probably study.”

Waiting until you invited me wasn’t really fair, so I decided to stop being so unfair and start doing things that would surprise you.

''What should I do?'' I wondered while looking up into the sky.

The sky was blue and cloudless.

I felt like it would absorb me and, when I looked around, I realized I had fallen onto the roof.

The bell indicating the beginning of the next test rang.

'''Author Comment:

For some reason, Sensei spends her break time in the classroom.

She’s probably talking with the students, but wouldn’t that make her late for her next class?

Also, I think you can see the special sort of connections found in a school in the way you can look out the window and immediately spot someone you know.