Tantei Diaries

II. Becoming A Member

"So basically, there are four fundamental forces acting in the universe. The gravitational, electromagnetic, weak and the strong nuclear forces. Who can differentiate the four?" My professor in Science asked. Nobody dared to answer. I looked around; everyone is all busy with their businesses. No one dared to look into our professor's expecting eyes. Well, me neither.

"I thought I had given you this as an assignment. Why is everybody silent?" He asked menacingly, his anger evident in his voice. He adjusted his glasses and looked around. "Well, I don't have a choice now, do I? It can't be helped, I will just randomly call names. You all ready?" he smirked.

"Hinata, Seiji."

Reluctantly, Seiji-kun stood up. He was a guy wearing glasses. He stood up reluctantly. Matalino naman siya, kaso nga lang, hindi ata niya napaghandaan ngayon ang tanong ng prof namin.

"So Seiji, how are the four forces that I just mention differ?"

Hindi makatingin ng diretso si Seiji, I can see beads of sweat that are starting to form in his forehead. Ayokong tumingin sa kanya o sa professor namin. Baka ako pa ang pagdiskitahan niya.

"You don't know?" Mapangmatang tanong ng prof namin. Every seconds passed, he is slowly transforming into something evil. He smiled. "Okay, remain standing. Next: Hibari, Reika Aliya."

My heart stopped. Did he just call my name? I scanned around the room, wala naming tumatayong iba. So I'm not hearing things, he indeed called me. I forced myself to stand up.

"Uh..."

"So what can you say, Ms. Hibari, about the fundamental forces?"

"T-The four fundamental forces are gravity, electromagnetic, weak and strong nuclear forces."

Tinignan niya lang ako, like I just said the most stupid thing. "Well, obviously. That is what I told this class just minutes ago. Give me another."

Tumingin ako sa paligid, seemingly hoping that someone would take pity on me, and teach me. There wasn't.

"U-uh, gravity is what makes something fall. I apologize sir, but I don't know about the other forces."

My prof seems to contemplate what I just said. "Okay, you have a point. You can take your seat."

I let out a sigh of relief. Saved. Well, for now. Ipinagpatuloy na ng prof naming yung discussion, but the guy, Hinata, remained standing for the whole period. Somehow, I pity him.

*******
I was walking on the hallway, when I heard a voice calling me.

"REI!!!!!!!!"

I turned around to see my only friend here in school: Amanda. She was gasping for breath, why is she in such a rush?

"What?" I asked her.

"Did you hear the news?"

"What news? You know how oblivious I am about what's going on. Is something worthy happening?"

"Ugh! It's about Kenji-kun!"

Just hearing the name made my world stop. May impact pa rin siya sa akin. I ignored that thought.

"Not interested. Sorry." I started to walk away.

"He's joining our club!"

"WHAT?!"

...just when I decided I did not want to see him again. The three Fates must have been playing with me.

***********
Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Amanda. I hurriedly went to our club room to have a talk to our president. I stormed in the room.