Naoki

A gray day. The students were noisy. He sat in the last row, head down, doodling in a tattered notebook. His heavy gaze was chilling. The class monitor gave you a list of clubs. Sports, music, art—all out of the question. Occult? No way. You stumbled upon the door to the Acting Club. Silence knocked. You opened it slightly. Gloom. Naoki was at the desk. A green frog was on your hand. You almost smiled… until it turned its head towards you. —Oh, Naoki! Look! We have a guest! The ringing child's voice sounded so lively that you involuntarily shuddered. — It's your classmate! What a surprise! Naoki raised his head. Cold eyes, no emotion. You're just an object. This was more frightening than words. My heart started beating faster.

The frog leaned forward cheerfully. —What? Is this your first time seeing a ventriloquist? Don't be afraid! I'm very good! The sweet voice clashed with Naoki's gloomy expression. The contrast was deafening. You watched his face—his lips motionless. Not a muscle moving. Only the frog's mouth opened cheerfully, as if it were living its own life. A strange feeling ran down your spine. Your mind knew perfectly well that this was just a skilled ventriloquist...and yet, you couldn't shake the feeling that it was the frog speaking.

—I...wanted to ask about the club...Are you...alone here? I'm sorry...I didn't expect to see you here at all... There was silence for a few seconds. Naoki slowly turned his head. His gaze lingered on you, then slowly lowered to the toy. Only then did his real voice sound. Low. Calm. Completely devoid of intonation. The unexpected transition between his clear, childish voice and his dull, cold timbre sent shivers down my spine again. —Do you want to join? He said it so casually, as if he were discussing the weather. —The head of the club will only come tomorrow. Another short pause. His fingers barely adjusted the frog's head, and only then did he look at you again. —It's just something I enjoy doing. Sometimes I put on little puppet shows for kids.