Chaos Year 3, Day 109, 4:21 pm

About 1 year and 8 months later.

Ding Dong Ding Dong~ 

The school bell rang out loud announcing the end of today's classes. But I couldn't move from my seat, as my body felt heavy and the gravity on my eyelids seemed to be ten times stronger than usual. 

Ugh, I shouldn't have played the game 'til 5 am last night.

In our second period, the Modern Japanese class was taught by Ishikawa sensei. Today she caught me dozing off in the class, making me the center of the attention. I spent the rest of the day battling against my urge to fall asleep. 

Finally, when that bell announced the end of my war, I gave in to my desires and laid down on my arms, resting them over the desk.

"RYOKI! RYOKIII~!" 

Just when my mind began drifting off towards nothingness, a strong loud voice rang through my ear, clearing away my sweet drowsiness instantly. 

God damnit, Why..why.. What have I done wrong? Just let a guy sleep in his damn classroom.

 "Oii!" He yelled out again. "I know you can hear me." 

Of course, I can, you fucker. You fucking own the loudest voice in the whole school.

Clomp! Clomp!

Loud footsteps slowly approached me. 

Immediately, the low murmurs of the remaining students inside the room died off, making the air around uncomfortably silent.

They should hire him to quiet down the toddlers.

A 6 feet tall guy towered over me, as I raised my head. I didn't need to look around to notice my classmates' confused and agitated states.

Eventually, they started mumbling again, as they confirmed that the guy's aim was not themselves, but me. But this time the current situation was the most hot-topic one.

"Isn't that Arataki Shinji, the delinquent from class 2-B?"

"Just look at his bleached hair and earrings. I totally have no idea how the school allows them. He might even have tattoos under the shirt."

"Do you think he has some connections with the school board?"

"What is he doing with Tsuriyama-kun though? Do they know each other?"

"Well, it's Arataki Shinji we're talking about. I bet they are up to no good."

Even though they spoke under their breath, I could still catch some of their words. 

This Shinji guy is an attention magnet, walking trouble. I'll just wrap this convo up fast and head back to my lovely siesta. 

"I thought I told you not to communicate with me in school,"  I grumbled in a low voice, as he sat down on the vacant seat at my front.

"Ehh, stop being so cold, Rio. Aren't we comrades?" He replied with downcast eyes.

"Don't call me that either," I scowled.

"Why? Isn't 'Rio' your name? You lied to me?" A devilish smile hid behind his dejected looks. 

Next time when he is in a pinch I ain't gonna save his sorry ass.

"Just tell me what you want and leave me in peace."  

"What do I want? Wait, You didn't get my messages yet?"

"What messages? I didn't get any. Oh..."  I took out my phone. Ah fuck, the battery's dead. That girl's gonna chew me out for this. "So what was the message about?" 

Most probably something stupid anyway...

"Lynx sniffed out a void. We are to be present in the base by five pm today." 

Or not…

"Five...what?! There's less than half an hour left!" I shouted out, panicking.

Most of the students left the classroom already. The rest glanced at me all together, pausing their lazy chats. Even a girl gave us weird looks from the hallway. 

Damnit, there goes my reputation as an "enigmatic" person down the drain. Just hope they don't spread weird rumors around or something.

"Imma go home." I sighed and walked towards the door. 

No sleep for me today either. 

Watching Shinji and me suddenly leaving the room, the girl in the hallway hurried away towards the left stairway. 

"We aren't going that way?" Shinji asked me, as I turned right. 

He pointed at the left because that was the shortest path to the school entrance.

"That girl would think we are going after her." I preferred not to damage my social standing anymore. 

Shinji furrowed his eyebrows in confusion but followed me anyway.

"Shinji, lend me your bike for today." 

"Nope, I need that bike too. you are on your own, comrade."

"Tch, you're useless even in the real world."

"Heh, I might be useless in the real world but you don't get to call me that inside there. Try going into the void without me today. Y'all be dead within seconds."

"Whatever." My eyes rolled in annoyance. "Anyways, The hallway looks deserted today. See ya.” 

The steps of my feet hitting the floor echoed as I ran through the corridor and stairway. 

I don't wanna make everyone late.

"Ohhh this is fun. Didn't think you had it in ya."

"DON'T CHASE ME, YOU BASTARD!"