Once back in the courtyard, he went to sit on a bench. He let out a deep sigh before crossing his arms, resigned.
— I've explored the entire school, and most of the classrooms only had numbers. But there's no sign of the AS class anywhere, he complained aloud.
— Need some help ? AS actually stands for Auditorium South. It's above the cafeteria, explained an unfamiliar voice coming from right behind him. There wasn't enough space on the sheet, so they used acronyms. Pretty dumb, right ?
Tora flinched slightly before turning around to discover someone sitting on a bench behind him, back to back with his.
"I didn't even notice him !"
— Ah, thanks, stammered Tora, a bit troubled. What are you doing here ?
— Nothing, really. I don't feel like going to class, especially if it means opening the door and feeling all those eyes on me until I find a seat. Plus, you have to apologize and deal with the teacher's remarks, he asserted while rolling his eyes. So thanks, but no thanks.
— True. And on the first day, they either try to convince us they're the best teachers in the world with obvious arrogance, or they try to intimidate us so we don't cause them any trouble.
— Haha, that's so true !
A brief silence settled in, making Tora increasingly tense.
"Why did I even start talking ? I should have just thanked him and left. These small conversations make me uncomfortable. I never know what to say."
Tora had a habit of believing that any inconvenience in a situation was inevitably due to his own shortcomings, which explained his nervousness every time a silence dragged on.
On his side, Zayn was noting something down in a notebook filled with writing and various notes. Some sentences were circled or underlined here and there. Seeing an opportunity, Tora asked :
— Are those notes ? Are you writing a book or something ?
— You could say that, he replied before quickly shutting it and slipping it into his bag. I don't really want to talk about it, sorry.
"Oops, that was awkward."
— No, it's fine, don't worry. I was just curious… Uh, by the way, you haven't told me your name yet.
Seeing how engaged Tora was, Zayn couldn't help but appreciate the attention he was giving him.
— Glad to see I interest you that much. My name's Zayn, and you ? he said, a smirk playing on his lips.
— I'm Tora, he answered while returning his smile.
— Like the Jewish sacred book, the Torah ?
— No, it's Japanese. It means "tiger", he corrected.
— You're Japanese ? he wondered, staring at him for a moment. Though it doesn't seem like it…
— My dad's American, and my mom's Japanese, Tora specified.
— Oh, so you're mixed ! Zayn exclaimed, stunned.
— Yes, he simply said.
— I'm Arab. My name means "beauty and grace."
Zayn truly lived up to his name. His face, free of any imperfections, was angular and well-defined, giving him a strikingly masculine appearance. His gray eyes immediately drew attention. His medium-length, jet-black hair was neatly styled back in a slightly tousled manner, creating a natural yet refined look. The sides and back were cut very short with a smooth fade.
His skin tone was similar to that of someone returning from a summer vacation, their body tanned by the sun. (It was his natural skin color.)
He was about the same height as Tora and appeared physically imposing. When standing, his posture was very straight.
The contours of his jawline were well-defined, while his Adam's apple was barely visible.
Tora noticed that he had absolutely no beard or mustache. Not the slightest trace of facial hair seemed to have ever existed on his face. Did he shave every day ?
"He's handsome, full of energy, and he has no trouble starting a conversation… the complete opposite of me."
— Where were you born ? asked Zayn.
— Here, in Gehennie.
— Me too ! How old are you ? I'm 20 years old... but I'm still in my first year ! he specified.
— 19, he simply replied, shortening his responses more and more as the conversation went on.
— I guess I'm older than you, so call me senpai, since you're Japanese ! Zayn joked.
— Uh… I'll pass, thanks, the latter objected, not getting the joke.
— Just kidding !
Tora took a quick glance at the time on his phone.
— Crap, it's almost time. I'd better get going, he announced hurriedly.
— Wait ! Zayn suddenly shouted.
— What ?
— My foot… —Zayn fell silent for a moment, visibly embarrassed— I twisted my ankle coming here, and I'm having trouble walking. Could you help me get around ?
Tora seemed a bit disturbed, but, seeing Zayn's condition, he realized he couldn't just leave him like that.
— Hop on my back, he offered, I'll carry you to your class.
— Thanks, that's really kind.
"He doesn't really leave me much of a choice anyway."
Tora crouched down in front of the bench, and Zayn climbed onto his back.
— Where are we going ? asked Tora, worried.
— Straight ahead, turn right, and then climb the stairs, it's the third door on the left.
— That's… very precise, he remarked with suspicion. I thought you couldn't walk ?
— Don't get me wrong, I just read it on the school map at the entrance, clarified Zayn.
So, there was a map from the start, and right at the entrance ! I spent two hours walking around the school, noting down every classroom… What a shame.
Tora was confident at first, but as he climbed the stairs, he began to tire quickly, though he tried not to show it. However, his steps grew slower and slower.
— Am I that heavy ? Zayn asked, worried.
— Nah, don't worry about it, reassured Tora.
Once at the top, he placed him on a chair in front of the classroom to catch his breath.
— Thanks. You're life savior ! Zayn exclaimed, grateful.
— N-no problem, Tora gasped. Wait, do y-you have class here ? he asked, pointing at classroom C23.
— Yeah, Zayn nodded, puzzled.
— So, we're in the same class ! he remarked.
— Looks like it.
Tora felt shivers of joy run through his body at this unexpected news.
"What a coincidence ! We both arrived late, we're in the same class, and I get along with him. Maybe I won't have to be alone anymore like before."
— What great news ! he shouted with excitement, I already know someone in the class.
His somewhat exaggerated reaction to such a trivial matter amused Zayn.
— Glad to see you enjoy my company, he chuckled.
— That's not what I meant, Tora protested embarrassed.
— I'm just kidding !