The Life Of Normal-Taro

"Hmm... Sure. However, I got stuff to do, you know? Like, the twelfth graders might be waiting for me back in the class... Well they are not exactly waiting for me... Hell, they might not be waiting for me at all! However, it would be rather difficult if I don't get there as soon as possible because unlike some kids, this lot is really energetic and annoying in certain aspects. Yeah, they kinda talk a lot. So, if I don't get there as soon as possible, some other teacher might, and then they will most probably get in trouble. You get what I mean?" Taro asked.

"No worries! I'll make it short. You are the class teacher of the twelfth grade, isn't that right?" John asked.

"Yeah. Isn't that why I told you that I gotta get to the twelfth grade like right now?" Taro asked back.

"Cool. Look, I want to know about a student in your class." John replied.

"Huh?" Taro was kinda surprised because he didn't expect John to be asking about one of his students. Rather than that he expected John to be asking about what happened in the tournament or something like that, because a certain person did flash the neuralyzer on him, so he was kinda worried that the flash might help him regain his memories. However, even though that doesn't seem to be the case, he was still perplexed about this confusing event.

"Ah, don't freak out. I just need to know something because he kinda stood out among the students. This is more of the curiosity of a person in the audience rather than you know... an MIB agent." John replied.

"Is that so? Well, it makes sense then. I know which student that you are talking about!" Taro replied with a smile on his face.

"Of course, you do. Well, at least you should because he is a student in your class, right? It will only be weird if you don't know!" John spoke. Taro found it difficult to identify whether what John spoke was considered sarcasm on Earth or just another lame joke.

"Real funny, John... Anyway, he's Juan. He's pretty much an expert in grabbing everyone's attention, so it's not that surprising that he did yours too." Taro replied.

"As you said, he is too much of a showstopper, so I was kinda interested." John replied.

"What? Do you want to recruit him into your Secret Service as well? Taro jokingly asked.

"It's not like that!" John replied laughing. "It's not like I can say that I suspect him to be a part of MIB already, right?" John thought, however outright kept his silence on that particular part.

"Anyway, is that all?" Taro asked, unaware of John's thoughts.

"Well, it seems like that kid is fluent in Spanish as well!" John spoke.

"You noticed that too, huh? He's kinda fluent in almost every language, so I guess that's not much of a surprise!" Taro replied. Although, with each reply that John got he furthered his misunderstandings even more.

"So, is there anything particularly strange about him that you noticed?" John asked bluntly. It seemed as if he didn't rely much on subtlety.

"That's kinda a weird question, don't you think?" As expected, John's lack of subtlety adversely affected him as Taro started doubting him.

"You see, I kinda felt something was weird with him, so I just wanted to ask you about that, maybe it's something that's been troubling you as well!" John slyly placed Taro before the conversation making him feel as if he is genuinely concerned about his roommate.

"Wow you are really weird, you know that? No offense! I meant it in a good way. You see, I still don't know how you found out, but yea… Juan is a bit on the weird side." Taro looked at him in awe.

"Well, you learn a thing or two if you work on my side of the job." John replied, feeling slightly proud of himself after noticing such an obvious thing about Juan.

"I guess that makes sense. Anyway, he's weird in all sorts of ways, I guess. Although there's a reason for his weirdness, I believe. I got to hear his backstory, so I can sympathize with him and also kinda understand why he acts like he does." Taro spoke, giving out an emotional tone.

"Of course, he has one sad backstory! That's kinda the first thing used by the MIB agents to fool people, you know? Like literally everyone drops their guard when they listen to some kinda emotional story of a certain eccentric character. However, doing this in such an obvious manner... He is one brave son of a gun, alright!" John thought yet again not revealing his doubts to Taro. "So, what exactly are these weird antics that you are talking about?" He asked.

"Well, he chases around the teachers for some reason, saying that he is twenty-two or something... an obviously false statement. Other than that, I can't seem to remember every sorta antic that he does, but he has his fair share of trouble in the school. Maybe, I'll talk about it some other day when I actually remember all that stuff." Taro replied.

"This guy! How brazen can he be... revealing his actual age and all! Does he not fear the repercussions for all the events that he might cause due to his idiotic behavior? Maybe I should have a talk with him or something. But what if he isn't a real agent... who are we kidding here? He is obviously an agent; a rookie one at that. Seems like the aliens are unaware of it, while the MIB guys don't want to reveal it. Doesn't matter, it will all be solved once I get to actually meet him but my suspicions are usually right though. Anyway I should treat this case carefully or else I might screw it up big time." John thought, while standing before Taro silently for quite some time, which made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Huh, seems like you are done asking the questions and me standing here by your side while you say nothing is kinda weird, so I'll head back then." Taro replied.

"Oh, sure. Sorry for wasting your time though." John spoke.

"Meh, it's my pleasure. Anyway, it'd be better if I go back. I can already hear loud voices from my class." Taro sighed as he turned back.

"Good luck with that!" John laughed. "See you later then.'' He said, as he waved his hand goodbye.

"See you." Taro said as he ran back.

As Taro left, someone grabbed John's shoulder from behind. "John! What the hell are you doing here?" It was Lonappan, who looked genuinely worried by John's sudden disappearance.

"Hey Lonappan, I just wanted to have a talk with Taro over there…. Oh, he's already gone now though!" John replied.

"I see… That's fine. However, from the next time, do tell me if you are going to do something like this." Lonappan spoke.

"I will." John assured him, to which Lonappan heaved a sigh of relief.

"So, what were you two talking about?" Lonappan asked.

"Nothing much. Just some random talk between two roommates." John replied.

"Is that so? Well, it's all good then." Lonappan looked a bit suspicious, however decided to let it go and walk back to the Holy Land.

"Hey, Lonappan! Can I ask you something?" John asked while they were amidst walking.

"Sure, what is it?" Lonappan asked.

"Tell me the truth, okay? Are you hiding something from me?" John asked which Lonappan couldn't hide his nervousness, which proved fatal before a seasoned veteran like John. "I knew it! Should've kept a check on your expression though…" John thought as he secretly laughed at Lonappan's blunder.

"What are you talking about? I am not hiding anything from you, so don't worry about it." Lonappan spoke. He was slightly uneasy at that question. He felt as if John's getting too close to the truth yet again, and it might be the right opportunity to use the neuralyzer on him. However, he thought of the scolding that he received from his peers back at the school and decided not to flash the neuralyzer on him just yet. However, he was plenty suspicious this time around as well. However, he decided to wait until the right opportunity before doing something drastic.

"I see…" John didn't say much upon seeing Lonappan's grave expression. "Not gonna reveal it yet, eh? That's fine though, I got plenty of time to spare. I will someday make your mouth reveal the truth. So don't screw it up before that happens." John thought as he walked by his side.

Anyway, during the rest of the journey they didn't speak much to each other. However, one thing was for sure; both were suspicious of each other for totally different reasons.

When nightfall came and everyone got back to the Holy Land, certain suspicious events started to occur. For some reason, John started asking more about Juan to Taro, while Lonappan started asking about the conversation that he had with John. While both were confused by the answers that they got, the most confused one here was Taro himself because he had no idea about what was going through their minds.

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