分5会

I called the police to report a dead person near our apartment. Before I left, they confirmed it. They asked me few things, but they couldn't figure out how I knew that there was a dead person inside.

I simply lied and told them that the day before he died, I heard a huge noise coming from that apartment. They don't have an option except to believe me without asking any further questions.

They released me.

***

After that day... 

When I walked into my classroom, the majority of the students stared at me for no apparent reason.

Even when I sat at the far end of the room, these people never stopped staring at me. I'm also aware of their obnoxious presence to me

I bend my head down as if I did something wrong to them and try to think of another happy situation rather than being criticized by those humans.

"Ellice, hello there. Are you popular here?  Those people appear to be staring at you intently." Don't be so foolish; Kazuo has no idea what he's talking about.

That isn't even a look of adoration or anything!

I let out a sigh, "I'm not well-liked. It's only that they're keeping a close eye on me." I mumbled as he swiftly reacted, "Isn't it? Is it like stalking? You're still popular!" Because of his words, I merely put my palm on my face and rubbed it. In this situation, how can he be so slow to catch up?!

"Don't tell me he's just pretending?"

I thought this man was a smartass. I said something to myself in hushed tones.

Those looks, however, never ceased staring at me. I don't mind if one person stares incessantly, but why does everyone seem to stick a stare at me.

There is no teacher coming in through the classroom entrance door for a few more minutes. The stares become grimaces after a while.

 I was so nervous about it that my whole body began to sweat profusely, and I tried to glance at them...but raising my head was not an option.

To summarize, I admit I'm simply talking; I can't defend myself.

"I'm just a coward who's afraid of what other people think of me."

"Mr. Ukeda had been the subject of rumors. He's been admitted to the hospital." Finally, their scowls devolved into a censure directed at me. Everyone was staring at me with an unpleasant expressions on their faces.

He was confined? I wonder what did my little ghost-friend did to him.

"I wish he wouldn't wake up till after I graduate," I grumbled to myself, repulsed by the beast.

Kazuo's laughter would come out of nowhere "Isn't it? Then I should've just killed him for you. Hahaha..." He was staring at me, but I shifted my gaze away from him.

"Will you please cease yourself for saying such a thing?" I muttered.

Returning to reality, my classmates are still here, gathering in front of me.

"Mr. Ukeda, what a pity. Consider it, guys. Mr. Ukeda was sickened not only by her appearance but also by what she had done to him!"

That girl, who thinks so highly of herself, raised her index finger towards me.

Huh? What exactly are they talking about? Sick? Duh, he's already sick. He had it in his head. In a nutshell, he's a lunatic. I want to fry him and throw him to the dogs.

"Ellice, Why are they being like that to you? It irritates me." Kazuo murmured in a low tone, his deadly stare fixed on the majority of them. He appears irritated by what he's seeing right now.

"I also heard that Mr. Ukeda was attacked by a ghost! ...and you're the only one who can see a ghost here!"

They are acting irrationally. They should be on my side because I was attacked by that human beast, but right now... They look at me as if everything is my fault? 

So, trying to protect myself is a sin? This is why I no longer want to be in this class.

If I could just drop out of this school, I would have done so without hesitation. With a sneer, the girl who was leading the accusation towards me boastfully crossed her arms.

"I-it wasn't me..."  Everyone looked at me with doubtful eyes as I let out a small voice while stuttering as I tried to defend myself.

"Do you think we will believe a lunatic like you? Are you blind? Everyone is against you. Why are you here in the first place? Don't you realize this isn't even your place to start with?" Those words stabbed me in the back. 

I'm speechless in front of these people. They're secretly laughing in my face, I can tell. But how can I be affected easily? How can they be so quick to judge?

I started crying the moment they said all those things to me.

"Hey...! Ellice, you don't need to listen to her! She's far worse than you!" Kazuo's voice, however, saved me. He wants to protect me from my classmates, despite the fact that he is nothing more than a ghost.

How can I be so weak?

My hands are trembling so badly that all I can do is stuff them into my pocket as time passes.

"You're unable to speak? Have you figured it out now? Heil, you're a nuisance, and your brain isn't functioning properly. You belong in the Asylum, not here!"

Simultaneously adding those piercing words, as if there's no end to it until I vanish from everyone's sight.

Just as I was about to respond, Kazuo's spot began to snap. 

"Enough!" When I turned to face Kazuo, he was furious, as if he wanted to slaughter everyone in the room.

He also held my desk, and things went chaotic, not only for me but also for them. The desk unexpectedly went in the direction of the glass window, shattering it as it was flung outside, while Kazuo controlled the other desks inside as he pushed everyone away from me.

"Ahhhh!!!" Everyone who was in a panic because of what they saw screamed.

"K-Kazuo!" As I rose up, my voice was trembling, and he was at the top of the desk that was meant to block everyone. He glanced at me and smiled innocently, but there was a sadness in his eyes.

"I'm not going to let them hurt you. Don't pay attention to them..." He was just laughing when tears began to fall from his eyes and could not seem to stop. 

"You must not pay attention to them. Ellice, you're not weird at all..." My eyes widened from not only his actions but also from his words.

"Kazuo," I muttered.

"Please, someone help us! someone!!" Everyone keeps shouting incessantly, hoping to find someone who can help them.

Kazuo rushed towards me, lifting his hand slowly in an attempt to brush my cheek, but when he did…

A teacher suddenly rescued everyone by entering the chaotic classroom from being terrified. Following that, Kazuo ceased to do so. He vanished without a trace.

"Everyone, calm down!" They are all looking at me, even teachers. But I confidently glanced at them, a tinge of regret in my heart for everyone.