***
Although Eiichi had made the indication that the girl in question had run into the office, screaming like her stalker was right on her tail, wildly swinging a knife, the office itself didn’t seem to be in much turmoil at the moment. Most of the sensei in the room were at their desks, looking over assignment scores, or by the tea maker, discussing what all the noise had been about.
The girl was seated in a chair by an otherwise vacant desk, her arms slumped on top of her thighs, hands clasped between her legs. She had glasses with slightly elliptical frames, only they were a bit smaller compared to Noda’s huge coke bottle lenses, which made her a little self-conscious. However, they did look adorable on her, with her dark, short hair, fair-skinned complexion and that kawaii choker! The girl’s chest wasn’t as big as hers, so that gave back some – Okay! Back to business!
‘What am I doing comparing myself to her!? She’s scared out of her mind!’
Noda approached calmly, making sure the tote bag was visible. She didn’t know if the girl had noticed her earlier. She had seemed more focused on Eiichi before she scampered off. She didn’t even notice her now, and seemed to be deep in thought.
From a distance of roughly five feet, Noda decided to make her presence known.
“Um—”
The girl’s face lurched up with a brief intake of air that made a squeak. It made Noda jump back a little herself.
“Hi...?” Noda voiced.
“H...Hello...” the girl muttered while her wide eyes stared at Noda fearfully. She had a small voice to go with her quiet appearance.
“I uh...well, I think you dropped this...” she said, presenting the bag. “My friend and I found it.”
The girl’s eyes fixed on the bag distantly, as if she had never seen it before in her life. Almost like she didn’t even know what a tote bag or satchel was, and was afraid it might bite her.
“Um...th-thank you...”
Noda placed the bag in her outstretched hands and the girl proceeded to set it on the floor next to her chair.
She obviously didn’t recognize her, and seemed too focused on whatever was bothering her to remember that Eiichi, the person she ran from, had been the friend Noda spoke of.
“I’m Asako Noda.”
“Oh...” She didn’t seem to think this was going to continue. “It’s nice to meet you...”
‘... ... That’s it!?’
First Eiichi, and now this random person!
‘There’s an exchange going on here! Words are being traded! I give you my name, you give me yours! That’s how this works!’
Why was it so hard for people to understand this!?
‘Calm down Noda…breathe…she’s probably too scared to give her name. You’re a total stranger and she doesn’t trust you. And you’re already angry because Eiichi is being a jackass, so don’t take it out on her.’
Noda straightened her thoughts out.
“We...saw your locker.”
The girl became startled. “You saw!?”
“Yeah...I know if I found something like that in mine, I’d be pretty terrified too.”
The girl fidgeted. “Thank you for saying so...”
“So um, it looks like whatever you’re going through is pretty serious. Have you tried calling the police?”
“...”
“Um...I don’t know what’s going on, and you don’t have to tell me, but my friend and I, sometimes we hang out after classes are over, and uh...if you need anyone to talk to, we would be happy to have you join us.”
The girl didn’t answer right off, and curved her face down to the side and stared at the floor.
“Here.”
Noda grabbed a sheet of paper from near a printer and tore a section off. Then she grabbed a pen from a vacant desk and began writing. She folded it and handed it to the girl.
“This is my number. I’m sure you have friends you already talk with, and I don’t want to impose, but if you’d like, just shoot me a text.”
She looked at it, and was probably considering her options, but then she raised a gentle hand and took it.
“Okay, well, see ya.”
Seeing nothing more she could really do here, Noda turned to leave.
“W-Wait...”
She stopped mid-stride and turned without moving her feet.
“That guy that was with you...was that...Eiichi Kozuka?”
Go figure, you extend a helping hand, and end up hearing more about Kozuka.
Noda bid a sideways glance to the wall. “Oh yeah, him...you want his number too?”
“N-No...I...just wanted to ask why you are hanging out with him.”
“I guess you’ve heard the rumors.”
The girl nodded.
Taking consideration for the irate mood she was in, Noda crossed her arms and focused, trying to hold back from putting him down too hard.
“He can be a jerk sometimes, but he’s actually kind of a nice guy.”
“I heard that he stares at people, and he has facial hair...”
These were some really bizarre questions. What rumors had this girl been listening to?
“W-Well, he stares sometimes, but I think that’s only when he’s thinking really hard. If you ask me, he doesn’t think enough...and to my knowledge, he’s never had facial hair.”
“Oh, okay...” she lowered her head and that was it.
Noda knelt down so the girl could see her better.
“He’s not as creepy as he looks. I think if you got to talk to him, you’d find he’s just like everyone else.”
For a moment, a little smile appeared on that scared, sad face, before dimming back to its original state.
Noda stood, “Take care.”
“You too...”
Eiichi P.I., Vol. 1 Page 21