Chapter 64: Iris and Her Ability to Disappear.
Noah arrived early at the high school.
He had left home with more time than usual for one single reason: Iris Valentine.
The crystal brooch was still tucked inside the inner pocket of his jacket. He had checked it several times during the trip to make sure it hadn’t disappeared.
Noah entered the classroom and found Iris sitting in her usual seat in silence, as always.
She had a book open on her desk and seemed completely focused on reading, so Noah took a deep breath.
’This time she won’t be able to leave and classes haven’t started yet.’
He walked toward his seat.
"Good morning, Iris."
She looked up.
"Good morning."
Noah sat down.
"I wanted to ask you something."
Iris closed the book and Noah thought he had finally gotten her attention.
"Do you have time after...?"
The classroom door opened and a student walked in carrying a box full of documents, asking for help to take them to the teachers’ office.
Iris stood up immediately.
"I can help."
The student looked surprised.
"Thank you."
Iris took half of the documents and left the classroom with her.
Noah stared at the door.
"...classes?"
Ren walked in a few seconds later and found him with his hand still raised.
"What are you doing?"
"I was trying to talk to Iris."
Ren looked at the empty seat.
"Doesn’t look like she’s here."
"She was here."
"So, you talked too slow?"
Noah lowered his hand.
"I didn’t even get to finish a sentence."
Ren dropped his backpack on his seat.
"Maybe she doesn’t want to listen to you."
"That’s what I’m starting to think."
Noah remained restless during the first class.
Iris returned shortly before the teacher arrived, but there was no time to try talking again.
When the first break began, Noah decided to act before she could leave. The moment the teacher had barely stepped out of the classroom, he turned toward Iris.
"Iris."
She was already putting away her notebook.
"Yes?"
"I need to talk to you."
Iris paused, which gave Noah a bit of relief.
"It’s important."
"I understand."
"Can we go somewhere quieter?"
Iris glanced toward the door and then checked the clock.
"I have to go to the bathroom."
"Sure, I can wait for you."
"That’s not necessary."
"It doesn’t bother me."
Iris put away the last notebook.
"I’ll take a while."
"It doesn’t matter."
"I might not come back before class starts."
Noah frowned.
"That long?"
"Yes."
Iris left and Noah decided to wait.
Five minutes passed, then ten, and by the time the bell rang again, Iris had not returned.
She entered through the other door of the classroom right as the teacher began the next class.
Noah watched her take her seat.
’Did she seriously use another entrance to avoid me!?’
Iris opened her notebook as if nothing had happened and Noah began to consider a worrying possibility.
’Maybe I did something that upset her.’
He didn’t remember insulting her, nor did he remember touching her things or saying anything strange about her.
Their previous conversations had been brief, but normal.
’Maybe I stared at her too much that first day.’
That could have made her feel uncomfortable.
Noah remembered that when he recognized her as one of the magical girls from the anime, he had stayed staring at her for several seconds.
’Does she think I’m a stalker!?’
The thought worried him even more, so during the next break Noah decided not to approach her directly.
He waited until Iris left the classroom and started following her from a certain distance.
He only needed to find the right moment to talk.
Iris walked down one of the main hallways and went down the stairs.
Noah followed her.
She turned toward the vending machine area.
Noah sped up a little.
"Iris."
Iris stopped in front of a machine and Noah approached.
"About what I said earlier..."
Iris pressed a button and the machine dispensed a bottle of water.
"Yes?"
Noah looked around and saw that there weren’t many people nearby, so it was a good opportunity.
"I need to give you something."
Iris held the bottle with both hands.
"I can’t accept it."
Noah froze.
"Wait, it’s something important."
"I have to get back."
"The break just started."
Iris put the bottle inside her bag.
"I have to check an assignment."
"I can walk with you."
"That’s not necessary."
Iris started walking and Noah followed her for a few steps.
"I only need five minutes."
"I’m sorry."
Iris entered a classroom that didn’t correspond to their class, so Noah tried to follow her, but a teacher appeared at the door.
"Are you looking for someone?"
Noah looked inside and saw several students gathered around some tables, but Iris was no longer there.
"No."
The teacher watched him.
"This room is reserved for an activity."
"I understand."
Noah walked away.
’Where did she exit from?’
He hadn’t seen another door.
When he returned to his classroom, he found Iris sitting at her desk, so he stopped in front of her and Iris looked up.
"Is something wrong?"
Noah opened his mouth, but the teacher entered and everyone had to sit down.
Noah rested his forehead on the desk.
’This can’t be a coincidence.’
Ren sent him a message while the teacher wasn’t looking.
[Why are you harassing another girl?]
Noah lifted his head.
[I’m not harassing her.]
[I saw you following her down the stairs.]
[I need to talk to her.]
[That’s what people who harass someone say.]
[It’s not the same.]
Ren narrowed his eyes.
[First Yume, then Luna, and now Iris.]
[I’m not trying to date Iris.]
[You said that about Yume and Luna too.]
Noah didn’t reply and Ren continued.
[What do you need to tell her?]
[I can’t explain it.]
[That sounds even worse.]
[It’s something important.]
[Related to what?]
Noah looked toward Iris, who was still writing.
[I can’t say.]
Ren sighed.
[At least make sure you don’t scare her.]
[That’s what I’m trying to do.]
[Doesn’t look like it’s working.]
When lunchtime arrived, Noah thought he would have another chance.
He knew Iris didn’t eat inside the classroom, so he left before her and waited near the cafeteria.
He saw her appear several minutes later.
Iris was carrying a small tray with food and moving forward while looking for a seat.
Noah decided to approach calmly.
"Iris."
She looked at him, so Noah raised a hand.
"I just want to talk."
Iris observed the tables.
"There are no free spots here."
Noah looked around and saw at least twelve tables with available seats.
"There are plenty of spots."
"They’re taken."
"They’re not."
"Someone might use them."
Noah pointed at an empty table.
"Then we can sit there."
Iris gripped the tray tighter.
"I prefer to eat alone."
"That’s fine, I just need to explain something first."
"Another day."
Iris was already getting ready to leave when Noah stopped her.
"Iris, did I do something that upset you?"
She looked surprised.
"No."
"Then why do you always leave whenever I try to talk to you?"
Iris lowered her gaze.
"I’m not leaving because of you."
"But it always happens when I come near."
"It’s not intentional."
"Then give me five minutes."
Iris looked behind Noah and her eyes moved toward a point in the cafeteria.
Noah turned and saw that Yume and Luna had just entered.
When he looked back at Iris, she was already walking toward a side exit.
"Wait!"
Noah tried to follow her, but a student passed in front of him with a tray and he had to stop.
By the time he managed to move forward, Iris had already disappeared.
Noah stood in front of the exit.
"Who are you looking for?"
Yume’s voice sounded behind him, giving him a small sense of danger.