“Huh?” my words sat in my throat like a pill that refused to be swallowed. “What do you mean who am I? It’s me. What game are you two even…”

  Chika reared back slightly, and Denki started to take a step forward. There was no hint of friendly humor in his eyes. It was like he was looking at someone that was quickly identifying themselves as an enemy.

  What the hell is happening? First Yui, now Denki and Chika? Have they really forgotten me? Their faces are the same as hers... they genuinely have no idea who I am.

  What the hell do I do? Try to play it off? Try to make them remember? What's even making them forget? I have no information on what's going on; I need to get out of this situation and figure it out!

  "Oh?" I squinted at the two of them, touched my face in a false search for glasses, and faked surprise. "I'm so sorry! I ran out and forgot my glasses and ended up mistaking you for someone else!"

  I quickly bowed and ran off towards the school after my best attempt at an escape. I slowed down to a walk once I got out of sight of them. Trying to tail them would only raise Denki's suspicions and could lead to a fight which is the last thing I needed. I would have to find out more once we all get to school.

  The behemoth of a school building seemed more daunting as I approached it that morning. All around me were familiar faces having countless conversations. Their faces seemed to blend together and lose all sense of individualism the longer I lingered in the courtyard. All the while, no one recognized me or even noticed that I was standing there. I quickly grabbed my destination from the upperclassmen bulletin board; I was bound for Class 2-B.

  A couple of people bumped into me as I made my way back through the courtyard and inside the school. Given the extremely crowded nature of the first day of school, I thought next to nothing of it. However, then someone tripped over me when I was switching my shoes at the shoe locker.

  It's like I don't even exist... What is this?

  I walked through the school having to avoid most people since they had no inclination to do the same for me. Once inside my class room on the second floor, I found my spot on the seating chart — in the back of the class slightly to the left of center. I got to my seat and sat down, having no one even noticed me. In front of me would be one Kensei Rito, and an empty desk sat beside me.

  Rito walked in with his bag slung over his shoulder and walked to his new desk. Our eyes locked, but he said nothing besides "Good morning," before sitting down. He had no idea who I was either... Shortly before class began, Denki and Chika walked in along with a girl who was previously in Class C. Kaori never walked into Class B. As homeroom started, Ms Kimura stood in front of our class once again.

  "Welcome back, Class 2-B," she started. "Like I told you at the beginning of last year, I am your homeroom teacher, Ms Kimura. We had a few last-second changes to the roster which is why Kirishima Rika will be joining us instead of Hojo Kaori. Also, we have a new student transferring in today, you may enter," she called to the door.

  As it opened, my eyes grew in shock as subtle gasps of awe filled the room. Angelica Grey walked in with her new stoic yet still proud face. Her bright blonde hair was wound into a long braid that hung over her shoulder while the remnant bangs were perfectly done and fell beside her face. Her blue eyes seemed to shine even brighter than any previous time that I had seen them. She stood before the class in a Toriyama High School uniform, and I struggled to keep up with what was happening.

  "Good morning to you all," she began. "My name is Angelica Grey, I hope we can get along and have a good school year together." She respectfully bowed and made her way to the empty desk right beside me before sitting down without another word.

  "Now," Ms Kimura continued. "Attendance time, we'll do this once since you have assigned seats. Akido?"

  What the living hell is happening? There's no way Makarov let her go! This has to be some sort of trap... What the hell are you planning?

  "I-Ishi-" Ms Kimura pinched the bridge of her nose and squinted. "Ishi—"

  "Here!" I called.

  Her reactions... it's like her mind doesn't want to say my name...

  "Another new student?" one girl asked her friend in front of her.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "I think he was another class transfer," her friend whispered back.

  Play it off, act natural. Don't draw any more attention to yourself until you figure out what's going on.

  The morning dragged on. In between classes, no one said two words to me. At one point, Chika, Rito, and Denki left the classroom to meet up with Nina and Natsu outside. After a brief moment of smiling banter, they set off towards Class C and presumably Kaori. My ears began droning when I tried to activate my ability, and time continued flowing as before.

  Lunch came, and again, my friends gathered up and left the classroom. A couple of girls had flocked to Angelica, and one grabbed my desk to push closer to hers as if there was no one sitting at it. Instead of saying anything, I simply stood up and walked out to find my lunch. Just as no one noticed my entrance, no one noticed my exit.

  I sat alone in the far eastern stairwell. There was a broken down vending machine with a bench in front of it that made for a cozy spot. With Yui’s freak out this morning, I didn’t have time to make anything for my lunch. My school store yakisoba bread and vending machine orange soda made for a lacking lunch, but considering the alternatives, it was good enough. I ate in silence as my head tried to process the morning.

  Why can't anyone remember me? More importantly, why am I like a ghost?

  Also, why the hell is Angelica Grey here? How did she leave Makarov with her life? As pressing as this is... it might have to wait until I figure this ghost business out.

  Ms Kimura was trying to read my name, and she immediately showed signs of a violent headache. It's almost like...

  Like Onodera at the sports complex when she was forced to fight Yamato.

  Is someone making everyone not acknowledge me? Did someone make everyone forget me? How?

  Countless questions filled my head with no answer. I finished my lackluster lunch and slowly got up from the bench. The walk back to class reminded me of a sensation that I had experienced first when I had accidentally frozen time so long ago: overwhelming loneliness. Again, I entered my classroom with no acknowledgement and took my seat.

  The rest of the day passed with the same results. No one interacted with me aside from bumping into me or tripping over me. I made one final attempt to try to prove my existence and set off for the Principal's office after the final school bell rang.

  Maybe, just maybe. If an ability caused this, maybe she was able to cancel it. Maybe she’ll know whoever or whatever did this. Here's to hoping.

  I passed by the student council room and overheard the first meeting of the school year already under way. Inside, I briefly caught a glimpse of Hatsume Kyoko, the new President, along with Hiasaka Nina and Aido Satoshi who had reclaimed their roles as the representatives. In my old spot, I saw Angelica Grey sitting proudly. I should have been bothered by the speediness of her appointment, but I had bigger things to worry about.

  The secretary hardly noticed me when I walked up to her. Finally, she looked up and jumped.

  "I would like to see Principal Kushida, please."

  "She is a very busy lady, young man," she tried catching her breath. "What is it that you need from her?"

  Think, Kazuma, you've got to come up with a good lie...

  "Mrs. Yamamoto," Principal Kushida beamed with a calm smile. "You know how I feel about you guarding my office door when it comes to students. How can I help you mister, um, sir?" Her head tiled to the side as if speaking to a complete stranger.

  You just did... shit...

  "She is right, ma'am," I bowed. "Sorry to bother you, I will make an appointment in the future." Before either of them could mutter a word, I quickly left.

  The world seemed to move in slow motion once again as I made my way back to the classroom to retrieve my things. I put my things away and tried to think of my next move; out of the corner of my eye, I saw a patrol car that had been sitting by the school gate since the start of the day.

  There's no way they’re here for me, right?

  "Excuse me?" a familiar feminine voice called behind me.

  I turned to see Kaori standing in the doorway. None of the others were with her, and her face lit up when our eyes met.

  "Kazuma!" She ran and hugged me. "You're okay! I was so worried!"

  "Kaori?! H-how do you know who I am?"

  "Everyone else acted like I was crazy when I said your name this morning. I-I was so scared!"

  Her trembling gave way to a river of tears, and I fought back the same tears. I had found someone who knew who I was. There was a shred of hope. I patted her head and tried to keep as calm of a voice as I could. Even still, I was trembling as well.

  "It's okay, Kaori."

  Her face was buried in my chest, but as she spoke, I heard her words clearly.

  "You're right... It's all going to be okay now that I found you again, Kazu."

  "... What did you just say?" I slowly looked down.

  "Do you prefer Zuzu? I guess I could get used to it, but maybe I should come up with a new name just for me. After all," she looked up at me with unbridled insanity in her eyes. "Now, I finally have you all to myself."

  A shadow was cast on her eyes, and the yellow in her irises almost seemed like a cat staring through the dark at its prey. All at once, the low droning, sense of impending doom, and unbearable nausea crashed into me. Damien's words again echoed in my head:

  You can't even see the danger creeping right under your own nose.