Few day earlier
Next day at school.
Seated at my desk, I gathered my thoughts about every little clue I had regarding Shu's issue.
For Zen, I already asked Aris to help me find him. He never comes in school but visits home late at night. If Aris manages to find Zen and bring her to the place I mentioned, then all I have to do is execute the plan but how I will think later.
But as for Shu, I am mostly clueless. I've known her for a couple of months, yet I never had the chance to know her better.
Damn it. If only I knew her well. Anyway.
Now I understand how to rid of these emotion-formed creatures. The first step is to know the core reason behind those emotions. I have a small hint—it's related to her being physically abused by her parents.
But that alone can't solve anything. I need to find more clues related to Shu.
As far as I know, I have never seen her talk to anyone else in our class other than Zen and me.
Well, for that, I have to ask everyone if they know anything about her... but that will consume a lot of time, and I have no idea how much time is left.
As I glanced toward Shu, who was about to leave school for home, I observed her. Her behavior and the way she talked hadn't changed.
Maybe... I could just ask her. But that won't help, as I tried yesterday and failed. She keeps wearing that fake mask, pretending everything's alright.
"Ah... I don't know what to do..." I scratched my head, feeling lost. Then an idea struck me—maybe Luna can help.
But after what I saw yesterday about Luna, I'm not sure whether I should force her into this. I don't have a choice; she's the only hope to find out more about Shu.
Taking my bag, I headed toward the club room. When I reached, I tried to open it, but it was locked.
Confused, since classes had just ended, I figured she might be in the council room.
It was my first time coming here. It wasn't exactly a time for nervousness, but the aura around the room felt heavy, like it might crush me if I let my guard down.
I touched the doorknob as I was about to open it, when suddenly, someone covered my eyes from behind.
"Tell me who I am," a cheerful girl's voice said.
"Miss Claire." I was shocked at first, but I recognized her instantly. Her aura was so bright I couldn't forget her.
"Bingo... you won," she said, releasing her hands from my eyes.
As I turned, she leaned towards me, looking closely.
"Oh! 100 score guy from before what was the name.....um...!" she said energetically.
"100 score... yes, that's me... Ah, well, I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm White, second year, Class B. Nice to meet you."
"Yo! Claire, this side. So why are you here in the council? Want something?" she asked.
"Well... by any chance, do you know where I can find President Luna?" I asked.
"Oh, Luna? She didn't come to school today. I got a message from her saying she has a fever and is taking a day off," she said casually.
"Okay..." I thought, unsure where else to find her.
"Well, if you want, why don't you visit her? I was planning to go, but I have to go out with my friends. I came here to ask Blake, but I know he'd complain about it," she said.
"Ah..." Before I could respond, she handed me some medicine, papers, and a cheat sheet with Luna's address. She also exchanged contacts with me.
This worked out in my favor—now I had a way to reach her, and I needed to ask her as soon as possible.
Following the address, I arrived at a tall, luxurious building.
"Apartment 707, well, here goes nothing."
I took the lift to the 7th floor and found her apartment at the end of the hall.
Taking a deep breath, I rang the bell and waited. When the door opened, I saw President Luna in pink pajamas, coughing continuously.
It stunned me; it was the first time I was seeing her outside of her school uniform.
"If you came here just to stare, I'm closing the door," she said, looking annoyed by my presence.
As she started to shut the door, I said, "Ahhhh... wait, please. I'm sorry. I came to deliver this to you."
I handed her the medicine and papers Claire had given me. She tried to close the door again.
I stopped the door with my hand.
"Don't you think it's polite to invite someone in for a tea when they visit you?"
She tried hard to close it. "Sorry, but we don't have one and I don't want to talk to anyone right now. I'm sick; you'll catch it if I let you in."
"Don't worry. I have good immunity. Nothing will happen, so please let me in," I pleaded, trying to open the door while she resisted.
After a struggle, she released the door knob. I lost my balance and almost fell forward. I was going to fall on top of her. She calmly stepped aside, and I fell on my face.
While covering my hurt face, she said straight-faced, "What were you trying? A rom-com scene?"
"Stop that," I said through the pain.
"So, why are you so eager to get into my apartment? Do you want to talk about those emotion-formed creatures I mentioned before?"
"It's possible," I said.
"What? She asked
"To get rid of that creature" I said
"Don't be stupid. It's impossible," she claimed.
"No, it's possible. Well, you're not wrong either—it can't be end by anyone else but host itself "
"Huh..." She seemed confused.
I told her everything that Aisha had told me.
"Well, it makes sense. Emotions can't be altered by others, only by the person who carries them. So, as soon as the emotions cease, the creatures will die," she said.
Looking at me, Luna asked, "Where did you get this kind of knowledge?"
"Ah... well... I was searching and came to this conclusion. That's all," I laughed nervously, covering the truth so she wouldn't be dragged into danger.
"That sounds suspicious, but forget that. So you came here to tell me this? It won't help you," she said.
"No... I came here because I know you can help me. Do you know anyone related to Shu besides her parents?"
"Hmm... Well, after yesterday, I also tried to find information about her. Besides the parents you mentioned, the mother is not her biological mother; the abuser is her stepmother. I also found that Shu was bullied in middle school. Other than that, I don't know," Luna said cautiously.
"That's a big point. Anything else?" I asked.
"No, nothing more." She took a notebook and pen, wrote something down, and handed me a note.
"Here. This is the name of her middle school. Maybe you can find more about her there."
"Thank you..." I stood up, about to leave.
"President... no, Luna, as I said, I'm going to save my friends. Just as I promised."
With that, I bid farewell.
As I left her sight, she said softly, "Maybe if I had the courage you have now, back then, I could've... Well, good luck, White."