(the abv. picture is Misa)
The white room. Even now, I fail to understand its true purpose. I knew, for a fact- that it was to prove there are no 'natural' geniuses. The true genius grew up in a surrounding that made him that way. Although attending the white room was the greatest asset in my life, it was the greatest burden, as well. My mother, who I barely remember anymore had left after my brother was born. I didn't even see my brother till date, in fact. However, I had heard he was the only survivor of his generation. As expected, a newborn baby, with no body to nurture him, he must see the world and people as chess pieces, nothing less, nothing more. I, however, am not in that light. I see the world similarly but not the same. I was raised by my mother for two years until my father sent me to the white room. As a result, I wasn't emotionless, yet capable of high intellectual thinking.
If Kiyotaka had used the chance I gave him to got to the ANHS, with a high college entrance rate, as well as a high employment rate, then that would mean I would see him today, for I had allowed the butler to arrange so, I was in my third year, now it would seem. I was the only survivor from my generation as well. I brushed my long wavy light brown hair. The only thing I remembered about my mother was that we shared the same eye color. Light brown with flakes of gold.
I had always thought them as odd, but gotten used to them nevertheless. I checked my uniform, and headed to the bus. I had used the chance of the holidays to buy myself time to go outside the school, two weeks, to be precise. And now, I was heading back. Life HAD been fairly normal for the past two years. Now that Kiyotaka, my brother would be coming, my father would try to get one of us expelled. He wouldn't bear to lose both his most prized possessions. I had different plans, however.
I spotted the first years as I approached the bus, and got on. 'Equality' huh? Doubt that exists. "Misa San!" A voice said from beside me. I saw a girl with short hair, staring at me. "Do I know you?" I asked, frowning, it is rude to call someone by their first name on the first meeting.
"I'm Kikyo Kushida. I've heard a lot about you. You are in the student council, correct?"
"Was," I corrected, "I resigned because it was too much work, I suppose."
"Wow, I hope to be just like you!" she said.
I glimpsed a different expression in her eyes. She is certainly not who she lets on. "Flattered, Kushida San. If you'd excuse me," I sat down on an empty seat joined by a younger boy who resembled me, except for his eye color and hairstyle. He must be...I realized.
It seemed he knew who I was as well, as he glanced at me. "So you're my little brother?" I asked.
"Pleasure to meet you, sister. Misa, was it?"
I nodded. "I suppose you took advantage of the opportunity I gave you?"
"I did," was the short response, as he looked ahead.
"How is the school like?" He asked.
"It's a good institution to those with merit," I replied.
"I wonder what that means," Kiyotaka replied.
"So, what do you plan on doing once in school? Let me guess, keeping a low profile?" I asked.
He simply nodded.
A girl with long jet black hair and red eyes sat right on the opposite seat.
She stared at me for a second before shifting her gaze. She must be that Hirokita's sister, I reasoned. He was always the overachiever, won anything he participated in. She would probably look up to him and hope to outshine him one day. Yes, that cold guy- pretty sure he won't even spare a glance at his sister at school.
"Class D, is it?" I asked, "A perfect 50 in all the tests. Impressive, how you managed that."
"I don't think that's impressive at all, sister. You are in Class A, after all," my brother replied.
"Don't bother with the act with me. I know far too well of your capabilities, little brother. You must think everything is about winning. Keeping a low profile is probably part of your strategy. Although, I don't think I could compare to you in terms of academics. We both know the past, after all."
"How did you manage to go outside the seclusive school?" He asked in turn.
"There is a point system. I'm sure you'd figure out the rest yourself. After all, the S system- it's not that hard to figure out."
"Is that why you gave up your position in the student council? Vice President?" He asked.
"Tell me. Do you think equality exists?" I asked him.
"No, I don't think so," he replied.
"Thank you for being honest. It doesn't. Do you know why 'monsters' exist, then?"
"I don't," he said.
"Monsters are one of the most carefully created beings. Nurtured, step by step. They eat, even though they have never experienced hunger, they study, even though they have no interest in academics, they seek friendship, even though they don't understand what it truly means. Surely, I have encountered such a monster. I'm sure YOU know all too well about yourself too, brother," I said.
He didn't reply. But clearly the girl, Manabu's sister was listening to every word. "I shall hope to see more of you, brother. I would like to know you better. Till then, good bye." I got up from my seat as Kikyo and the old woman walked over, as she sat down, Kikyo said, "Thank you so much, Ayanakoji san! Say, are you two related?" she asked me and Kiyotaka.
"She's my sister," Kiyotaka said.
"Oh, how fortunate," She muttered.
I made my way to the door.
Ten minutes later, I got off.
"MISA SAN! AYANAKOJI SAN!" Voices came everywhere people came to greet me. "Hello, everyone," I said, politely.
"I missed you so much!" My friend, Rika, said. I caught sight of my brother as I yelled for him to come over. "This is my brother, Kiyotaka. He will be joining this year. Hopefully all of you will take care of him," I said. Inwardly smirking. So much for his plans for keeping a 'low profile'. Being my brother is bound to get a lot of attention.
"I'm pleased to meet you all," he said, his poker face still there. I used this chance to escape and ascended the stairs, catching sight of that girl, with the red eyes, looking at Kiyotaka with envy. Perhaps, she would've thought- that her brother would never treat her the same way I treated my brother.
Humming to myself, I felt myself grow more comfortable. Sure, I attended the white room and everything, but I had emotions. I would enjoy my time here for sure. If my brother schemes something, he knows better than to involve me in them. I realized where I was, then. I was the only one there, I guess. The people were still arriving and coming to the hall. That's when I caught sight of Manabu Hirokita, seems like that girl (aka my successor wasn't around) Arin, was her name. After I resigned, she followed him around all the time, not that I cared, of course.
I pretended not to see him but then he said, "Misa," pushing up his glasses.
"Manabu, how wonderful to see you here," I said sarcastically, "I thought you would've gone to see your sister. I saw her today,"
He didn't reply. "Where is Arin?" I asked.
"She wanted to see you," he said. "Mhm..."
"Where is Nagumo?" He replied.
Oh, HIM- I hadn't seen him since I came back. He always hung around me, similar to what Arin does with Manabu.
"Miyabi's probably around here. I didn't see him since I've come back, are you jealous~" I teased, as he cleared his throat, "Of course not."
"Well, he must be interested in my brother, and must have gone to investigate," I reasoned.
"The student who scored a 50 in every exam. Your brother is interesting," Manabu said.
"I doubt you're going to hear much about him," I said, and taking a step back, I tripped, and mentally cursed myself, and braced for the shock, but instead found two hands around me.
I'm pretty sure I turned beet red, as my heart raced. Manabu was also slightly red, as people began to file in and see us in that position.
"A-Ah, thanks," I said, to him as I steadied myself, forcing his hands off my waist.
I turned even more red as people murmured of us being a thing. I glanced as Rika said, "Why didn't you tell me that the president and you are dating, Misa?"
"We are-"before I could finish, he butt in. "I'm sorry if my girlfriend didn't tell you, but I advised her not to tell anyone, not even her closest friends,"
I looked at him, wide eyed. He just glanced at me like 'play along'.
I gave her a tight smile, "Oh my god! Congratulations!" People crowded. The president and ex- vice president, the two most popular people with each other.
I spotted my brother, who had the same expression. He was emotionless, I figured. I would make my father pay for that, for sure.
"And my sister, she's Suzune, she seems to have taken admiration toward you," Manabu said quietly, leaning towards me so no one could hear. I glanced at her, who was staring at me with clear eyes, but when she saw her brother, she looked away.
Nagumo just came through and smirked. "So, Misa Senpai, you are finally dating, huh?"
"She is," my 'boyfriend' replied. I wondered what possessed the oh-so-cold president to act this way. I would have to ask him later.
"And here I was, getting my hopes up," he replied.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find someone, Miyabi," I replied, patting his head. Even though he was probably twisted, he COULD be of potential use. And it's not like I was mean enough not to take his feelings into account.
Arin looked heart broken, and just to tease her a little bit, I whispered in Manabu's ears, "Your real girlfriend seems heartbroken,"
"You're my girlfriend now, she never was to begin with," he whispered back. I felt myself redden, seriously, who was he and what had he done with Manabu?
Anyways, soon it was time for the speech and I was too bored to listen.
"So," I cornered him right after, "what is this all about?"
"I need you to be my 'fake' girlfriend, for this last year," he said.
"Why?"
"Because," he said, "My family has never been ordinary. My father owns a great business, and my parents have never meddled in my life, allowing me to grow on my own, but at this point, if I don't find a partner, they would probably use their connections to shortlist on a perfect candidate. You are perfect for the role. Your father is well known, too, after all. I did some research on you."
I felt my blood run cold, but calmed myself down. He couldn't know about the white room, right?
"So that is why," I said. "Fine, but what do you offer me in return?"
"Your secret, you and your brother, the sole survivors of your respective generations. I know about that experiment, it wasn't hard, using my connections."
"You'll...keep quiet about this, right?" I asked.
"I wouldn't want to cross you. I will, so long you agree to your role. It's purely transactional," he said, pushing up his glasses.
"Fine. So," I smiled, "I suppose we need to get to class, 'boyfriend'."