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One day, there was a classroom with ten girls in love. The girls struggled, cried, laughed and lived earnestly. Iru Iruma had observed them for a long time that had finally come to a close, and they had kept going from there on each to different directions.
Graduation had been a bittersweet time for her, since it meant parting with those souls she had come to love. All Iru could do was pray that they met someday again and send everybody off with a smile.
Iru felt like she had gotten a bit closer to understanding humans during that time of her life, watching those girls and their feelings blossom strongly. It made her think she loved humans. After graduation, there was the excitement of knowing he'd meet new people, but also a loneliness she was knowing for the first time. It wasn't a bad feeling, though.
A feeling she was learning. A place in her heart that was still unexplored. Maybe it meant that it was still possible for Iru Iruma to understand the heart, to fill it one day? Perhaps his desire could be fulfilled. For the moment, he had enough with watching the pictures of his former classmates and cracking a smile.
She wouldn't forget that classroom for as long as she lived.
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''Hmm…''
Camera in hand, Iru strolled around the hallways. She was on her way to her room, curious about meeting her roommate for the first time, but before that she couldn't help but explore the dorms a bit. After all, it was Iru's first time in that sort of environment, and her insatiable curiosity had been picked from the moment she passed the door.
It was a bit boring, she kinda wished they had decorated it a bit more, but it was fine. Surely it would get livelier when everyone was done moving there and classes started. Which reminded her of how curious she was about her classmates and teachers too, even though college had a more independent feeling to it than highschool. Iru knew he'd definitely have his share of fun observing them either way.
''Ah, here it is…'' He muttered to himself, eyes finding the door with the number '211' on it. Apparently, his roommate had already moved in, and they were probably there so early in the morning. Iru's lips curled into a smile as he opened the door, walking in with his suitcase and observing the room.
It wasn't anything special, but it wasn't bad either. In one of the beds, a girl was lying down using her phone— the long awaited roomie. She turned her head with the sound of the door sliding open, purple eyes meeting Iru's.
''Nice to meet you.''
''Nice to meet you…''
The small exchange was a bit awkward, but that was fine. Iru planned on getting to know her little by little, there was no need to rush things, since they'd be together for a year if everything went well. She started putting her stuff in place while continuing the conversation. Just a look at her roomie already told Iru that she was a rather introverted person, so talking while doing something else would be less pressuring than having the conversation while looking at each other. ''My name is Iru Iruma. Can I ask yours?''
''Shoko… Shoko Wanman.''
''What a unique name. I like it.'' Shoko briefly thought that Iru Iruma was equally unique, but she didn't comment on it, because it still made her happy to be complimented.
A shame that she wasn't special enough to live up to her name.
With that thought gnawing at her heart, Shoko fell silent, and her discomfort didn't go unnoticed by Iru. Maybe Shoko didn't like her name that much. Just from body language and replies, there was a lot Iru could learn about people, a skill she had acquired over time.
''What are you studying?'' Iru changed subjects, acting natural, trying to make the mood normal again.
''Um… Fine arts. It's my first year.'' Despite still not looking fully comfortable, Shoko was engaging with him, which was more than enough. Besides, her reply was unexpected, and Iru looked at her again with a surprised expression.
''Really? Me too.''
Shoko seemed surprised too, of course there were many Fine arts students since the faculty was near, but it was still unexpected to be paired in a dorm with another first year pursuing the same career.
''I hope we'll get along, then. It'd be great if we share some classes too.''
''Y-Yeah…'' There was a faint blush in Shoko's cheeks, like she wasn't expecting Iru's politeness and friendliness. Maybe she wasn't used to it, but Iru wanted to be friends with as many people as possible. Classes didn't start for another week, so hopefully they'd get used to each other by then.
In fact, the faint growl coming from Iru's stomach presented a perfect chance. Maybe it was a bit sudden, but there was no shame in giving it a shot. ''Wanman… Do you want to have lunch together? I can invite you, if it isn't anywhere too expensive.''
''Really?'' This time, Shoko's eyes sparkled a little, her enthusiasm growing. However, she quickly avoided Iru's smile and pursed her lips awkwardly. ''But… You should eat with your friends instead…''
''I asked you because I want to be friends with you. Don't force yourself if you're uncomfortable, though.''
''I-It's not that…'' Truthfully, Shoko felt honored that Iru had asked her out, but it was still something she wasn't used to. She tried her best to push the shyness and hesitations aside and slowly got up, nodding to Iru. ''Alright. Thank you.''
She wasn't sure why had she accepted, when she usually disliked hanging out with others. Something about Iru simply felt different, like she wasn't a fake. Something about his brown, mysterious eyes told Shoko that Iru was living far more freely than herself, that much was obvious. Maybe it was a bit early to call it admiration, but Shoko felt a strange interest in her.
And more than anything, even though she despised how boring she was, Shoko didn't want Iru to think she was a weird girl.
The two of them enjoyed a nice meal in a fast-food restaurant, talking and learning more about each other, Shoko opening up little by little. It wasn't bad to do something like that from time to time, and Iru was definitely special. There was something about his way of talking, about his smile, that seemed other-worldly, like only he wasn't human. Of course, Shoko kept those thoughts deep inside.
On their way back to their room, Iru got a bit distracted looking at the other people walking around. It was still pretty empty, but there were other students moving in or hanging out with friends. Then, his eyes caught sight of someone familiar.
''That's Miya Nanamiya.''
Iru smiled to himself, happy to see a former classmate around. By looks, she could tell Miya hadn't changed. She'd probably become popular again soon enough. The familiarity of it eased her heart, although she remained an observer and didn't approach Miya.
She knew there were a few people in the classroom interested in pursuing the arts, too. Maybe it was too early to say goodbye to that classroom.
Seeing that Shoko had stopped to wait for her, Iru finally resumed her walking and followed her back to the room they shared. There was a warm, unknown feeling in Iru's chest. She felt hopeful, both for the new relationships she'd form and for older ones. The world had so much in store, humans were so wonderful.
Later during the afternoon, as Iru was checking her camera and the pictures on it with a smile on her face, she realized that she still hadn't taken a picture of Shoko. She'd surely have that chance many times, but Iru still held the camera up in Shoko's direction.
''I-Iruma?'' Despite her surprise, Shoko didn't stop him and just went back to drawing on her notebook as she had been doing for the past hour.
The sound of the flash startled her a little, stopping her hand that soon started moving again. Shoko tried to act casual, like it wasn't a big deal, but her cheeks were red, and she felt the need to ask.
''Why did you take a picture of me…?'' Someone so bland. Someone like a marionette.
''Why?'' Iru hummed a little to himself, wondering about it too, and looked at the photo of Shoko drawing with her back to Iru. ''Simply because you're interesting. I like having records of the people I meet. To immortalize their feelings…''
Those words only made Shoko more flustered, scribbling something in her notebook that Iru couldn't see from her position, fortunately.
''Interesting? Me?''
The motionless pierrot in her notebook wasn't alone anymore as Shoko drew another figure next to it, a bright person with no strings attached taking it by the hand.
As for Iru, only by looking at her camera like that in the comfortable silence between them made her feel warm inside. Ever since she had been in that one classroom, she had learned about many feelings and sometimes started to experience them herself.
She wouldn't forget that classroom for as long as she lived, but now, there were more expectations than loneliness. Because there were so many humans in the world. Because she still wanted to fill her observation journal a lot more.
Iru was sure she would love them all, equally, forever. And one day, hopefully, her heart would be filled.