What Became of Us: A Sequel to 'TBU'

Chapter Two: Yumeni

"What? You have a crush on her already?!" Amon's mouth fell open as Ravi climbed down the steps in front of the school, adjusting the snug orange jacket a bit more comfortably around his shoulders.

"Well, yeah," Ravi replied.

Amon moved after him. "But didn't you see that whole fiasco? She's nuts! She's absolutely batshit crazy, Ravi. You can't like her; you're gonna make both me and you look uncool!"

"Ugh, Amon," Yuri rolled her eyes. "Maybe you should try being a little nicer."

"Here she comes!" Kashin peeped.

Yumeni took each step quietly with slightly slumped shoulders, all the kids giving her a wide berth. Her hair was still pin-straight and the very air around everyone seemed to become colder when she drew close. Ravi shivered and saw a tiny puff of breath float before his nose for half a second.

She'd been quiet all day after the lunch incident. Perhaps that lashing out had been a once-in-a-time thing, and the bullies had actually succeeded in beating her to the floor of hierarchy.

She slowed in front of them while kids moved past in little groups or on bicycles, and then came to a complete stop and turned to face them. Her eyes had become a dark orangey-gold color, shadowed by something sinister or maybe sorrowful? Ravi didn't know. All he knew was that those familiar eyes pierced a part of him and the air seemed to turn to invisible ice.

"Hello," Yumeni drearily sighed, perking up only slightly as she leaned closer to Ravi. "... You seem familiar. Have we met before?"

"N-No," Ravi stuttered, even though he shared the sentiment with her. "So, uh... you like sewing?"

She leaned even closer and a gleam entered her eyes. "Why? Are you gonna bully me about that, too? I'm not afraid to twist your legs until your knees break. You bullies fight a spirit that is ironclad and strong. You're just kidding yourselves, bragging about putting me in my place. This isn't my place. Nowhere seems to be. You have nowhere to put me."

Amon was like a fish, opening and closing his mouth with no noise coming out. Yuri nudged him with her elbow and shushed a few harsh whispers into his ear, and he clamped his mouth tightly and didn't gape it again.

"No, no!" Ravi shook his head with frustration and nearly got smacked with one of his side bangs. "I was just asking to ask. You like sewing?"

Yumeni seemed to understand and leaned back, relaxing slightly. "I... do."

She seemed hesitant to answer.

"Well, uh," Kashin shuffled forward and gave a wispy-thin smile. "Maybe you could make me something...? Like a scarf or perhaps even a skirt or something?"

That got a desirable reaction. Her hair, which had been flat, all but poofed back up into the smooth waves that framed her face. Her eyes sparkled red-orange and a brilliant smile invaded her features.

"How about a whole outfit!"

"Wha-" Kashin blinked long and hard, going a little bit ghost-white. "A whole outfit?!"

"Mhm, yes, a whole outfit!" Yumeni twirled and the skirt lifted out, showcasing that the ruffles underneath were not all white but several variation shades of blue. "Oh, what should I make you! A dress, a casual or formal, maybe semi-formal or semi-casual or- no, scratch that, I need your measurements! And I need to figure out what colors would fit you best... I could even customize your uniform, if you wanted!"

"No, just the outfit's fine," Kashin gulped.

Yumeni shrugged, unfazed by the lack of enthusiasm. "Fair's fair. I can be the unique one. And they can't punish me because I'm still wearing the uniform!... It just looks prettier. What kind of fabric would you like, mmm? Challis, Chiffon, Gingham, Voile.... a jacket! I could make a jacket, too! Are you busy?"