Chapter 3.1

For some reason, the sun didn’t show up today.

Maybe it will rain…?

Well, I brought my umbrella…

I’m not sure actually.

…Hah—I lean back, watching the leaves fall.

It’s quite windy, and no one’s around.

So I just don't hold my neck up anymore.

Aaah—

The sky’s too cloudy.

…It’ll rain.

Please do so later.

Leaves continue to flock my view until one just… began making its way to me.

I let it fall.

Closing my eyes as it lands on my nose.

I—

Hah—

I raise my head, covering my nose as I—

…

Ahh, nobody saw that.

I shake my head, before sitting properly and looking up again.

“This place could need a sweeping.”

…I didn’t move, but Hayashi came into view.

He points beside me, then raises a thumb.

I nod—then he sits.

It’s a first for him to be here so early.

“I saw that.”

“...No.”

I hear him chuckle.

Which I ignore.

…I let out a sigh.

Firmly holding my hands together as I just—

Do nothing.

I wait for him to say something but…

He’s also just staring off elsewhere.

Then, a leaf falls onto his head.

…I cover my lips, and he hears me.

“What…?” He raises a brow, then it falls.

“...I saw that.”

I squeeze my lips together, turning the other way and looking at more trees.

“No,” I hear him hold back a laugh.

Then silence again.

Ahh—I’m so bored.

I shouldn’t have come so early.

But I woke up so early…

…Perhaps I was hoping to do something—

Hmm…

“Hey, Hayashi.”

“Mm?”

“...What committees are in charge of school cleaning?”

“Well—I don’t think… oh, the council has one.”

“...Just the council?”

“There wouldn’t really be a cleaning club… would there?”

“...You’re right…” I let out a sigh, fully leaning back as I just looked up.

“You want to clean that badly?”

“...Mhm.”

“Then clean?”

“I told you… she doesn’t want me to.”

“The president said it’s fine.”

“...What do you mean?” I sit up, turning to Hayashi… who is just looking at the courtyard. “Mugi let you clean?”

“No, I asked if we could clean.”

“And…?”

“She said it’s fine.”

“...You’re not lying?”

“No,” he looks at me, genuinely.

I—pat the leaves off my skirt before standing.

“I’ll go ask first.”

He nods, and I head to Mugi.

As I get closer to the courtyard, I immediately hear the sound of sweeping.

“Mugi,” I called.

“Hm?” She turns to me, holding a broom.

“Did Hayashi—”

“Mhm,” she nods. “You can clean the side of the school.”

“...What about the—officers only thing?”

“...” Mugi remains silent, looks around and just… shoos me away.

I… raise a hand to wave goodbye—turning to suddenly see Hayashi with a pair of brooms.

He gives me one.

I look back to Mugi just standing, leaning her chin on the end of the broom—and wave before going back to where we were.

…Now, with a broom at hand—I began sweeping.

Hmm…

The leaves are… especially crunchy today.

And unlike in the courtyard, it’s quiet here.

…? I look behind me and—

Hayashi seems to be enjoying it too.

He really is laid-back.

Then—a huge breeze of wind surged through.

We stopped, watching the leaves we accumulated—disperse.

Screams from the courtyard—Mugi’s… we heard as well.

“Ahh—that’s the president,” he laughs.

I lift my hand covering my lips as I look at him, the courtyard—then to the mess on the floor again.

“Maybe let’s put them in the bag right away…?” I suggest.

“Yeah, true—I’ll hold the bag.”

He goes over to unravel a garbage bag.

I hold a broom and a dustpan… collecting leaves and dumping them straight to the bag.

“…Should I hasten a little?”

“Hm…? No? It’s fine.”

I nod, tending to the leaves again.

After we collected half of the leaves, he tied up the bag and opened another.

“May I hold it this time?” I ask.

He looks at me surprised.

“…You want me to clean?”

I nod, handing him the broom and dustpan.

I stand by him, watching and just listening as he… was sweeping a bit too fast.

“Slow down a little.”

“Ah—sure.”

He readjusts his grip and settles on a pace similar to mine.

After several strong winds—the area was finally free of leaves.

Some were still falling but… that’s for next time.

“...That tree reminds me of the one in Kirby,” I pointed to a tree, with an extended branch that seemed like a nose.

Well, not exactly…

I tilt my head, looking at it again.

“Where?” he asks, looking around.

“Actually not… here,” I signal him to come close and stand where I was—pointing at the big cherry blossom tree with a…

“Ohh, you’re right,” he nods. “The nose goes up though,” he chuckles. “Seems like the game stuck to you.”

“Well, Kirby’s cute…” I mutter as he carries two bags. “I’ll carry the other.”

He looks at me—doesn’t argue as he hands me one.

…Though, it’s heavy.

He looks at me, smiles a little.

I handed it back to him.

Perhaps I really need to exercise…

I let out a sigh, staring at the cloudy sky as the bell rang.

“I’ll put these in the back—you should go first,” he says, stopping by the entrance.

“Sure,” I nod, raising a hand to wave.

“My gameboy’s under my desk if you need it.”

“Okay.”

I watch as he passes through other people and disappears by the corner.

…Going back inside, I wore my slippers and just—walked.

A few minutes before—

Ah, I should wash my hands.

I pass by our classroom, proceeding down the hallway to the bathroom.

Upon entering, I see a few girls standing by the corner.

I face the mirror, turning the faucet and letting the water run through my hands.

…With a bit of soap, I rinse them thoroughly and—

“…” I reach for the tissue but… opt for my handkerchief instead—careful not to get my skirt wet.

The three girls passed by, glancing at me for a moment but—

I’m not really… someone they’d approach.

I look down, patting my hands dry as they leave chatting about… makeup or something.

Mugi doesn’t really talk about cosmetics.

Nor am I knowledgeable about it…

Though my cousin always did; both her and mom.

Hah—I take one last look at myself.

Readjusting my bangs.

And turning to leave the bathroom.

…Mm, it’s still so early but—it’s so dark already.

I’m not sure if I brought my umbrella or not.

I should check.

I feel like… it’s by the doorway at home.

With my head down, I enter the classroom—settling back to my seat and… Hayashi’s still not here.

Did he wander off elsewhere…?

He’ll probably be back.

I glance at his desk, seeing his console peeking out—I suppose I’ll borrow it later.

…Doesn’t he get in trouble for bringing it…?

I scratch my cheek, turning to look outside.

It might rain so—I can't really open the window.

Right.

I lean over, unzipping my bag.

Checking to see—my umbrella…?

…I look through my stuff, again.

Hah—please don’t rain.

I zip it shut, and lean back.

Crossing my arms as the clouds grew gloomier.

To think I’d forget it today, of all days.

…It’s fall already, why is it still raining…?

The noise settled once the front door slid open. Our professor stepped through and immediately began talking.

…Although the discussion remains bearable, I don’t understand what could possibly be taking him so—long.

The back doors opened, Hayashi walking in casually.

“I apologize for being late,” he bows.

“...It’s fine, return to your seat.”

His gaze trails down to the floor, glances at me before sitting back down to his seat.

I… kept my mouth shut.

Did something happen…?

I look at him once more, his brows a little furrowed.

Should I have gone with him after all?

…He looks at me.

I shake my head, and look forward.

It’s not right to pry…

Though I look at him again, just—he seems to be okay… at the very least.

With another ring of the bells, he’s just sitting quietly.

…Obviously thinking about something.

I look around, settling in my seat as I stare at my own hands.

Is he okay…?

I glance at him and he notices me again.

“You didn’t take this?” He asks, taking the console from his desk.

“...You won’t use it?”

“Hm… not really,” he shakes his head.

“Then—may I?”

He holds the console, reaching for something else—ah, the cartridge.

I reach with both hands and he gently hands them to me.

“...Um, Hayashi.”

“Mm?”

“Are you okay…?”

“...Yeah, just feeling sleepy.”

I nod, squeezing my lips together before… minding my own business.

I mean, he did arrive at school earlier than usual.

But like—

I let out a sigh, looking outside with the console at hand.

…It’s getting dark.

It should be windy on the rooftop.

“Is it fine if I bring this with me?”

“Yeah, no worries.”

“I’ll be… on the rooftop.”

He nods.

“It’s nice to take… a breather there,” I added before raising a hand and leaving the classroom.

Hopefully I’m not overstepping…

Of course, the hallway was busy.

I stand by our classroom door, letting other people pass first.

Oh… I make sure my pocket’s empty—before hiding the console.

It’d be bad if Mugi caught me with this.

…I turn to the stairs, climbing up the second and third floor.

“Hm? Mizuki?”

“Ah—Mugi…” I scratch my cheek, seeing Mugi climbing up the stairs behind me.

“Thanks for cleaning that area by the way, some officers were avoiding it,” she let out a sigh while holding the back of her head.

“No—thanks for letting us clean.” I say, then notice the look on her face. “Something happened?”

She looks at me, that look on her face when she’s just so fed up.

“Remember the dispute between the volleyball and basketball club…?”

“What about it?”

“Agh…” Mugi puts both hands on her face, clearly stressed.

“G-good luck, surely that’ll be resolved…” I let out an awkward laugh.

“They’re all so persistent,” she cries.

“Oh…! Aihara-san?”

We both turn, seeing someone with somewhat bluish hair.

“...Yes?” I tilt my head.

“Ah—Mizuki, this is Hoshino. Hoshino, Mizuki,” Mugi gave the worst introduction.

“H-hello, Hoshino-san.”

She has pretty eyes…

“Hi—hi! May I ask something?”

“What is it?”

She looks at me intently.

“What lipstick do you use…? Wait, you’re not using one.”

“Lipstick?” I mutter… I’ve never really— “I don’t really use one. Though I do have something for my dry lips.”

“Ah—a lip balm?” Her gaze remains at me, tilting her head as if to recall something. “It must have a tint then.”

“I’ll show you next time if I have it with me.”

“Ooh, sure—that’d be nice,” she smiles then looks at Mugi. “Ah—my bad for disturbing you two.”

“Well, you were heading to the rooftop?” Mugi asks me.

“...Yes.”

“It seems it’ll rain soon…” Her voice falls—looking at me for a moment before… “Make sure not to get wet,” she gently waves me goodbye before the two of them walk down the hallway.

I raise my hand and wave lightly before turning back to the stairs and finally… arriving at the rooftop.

As I’d expect, the wind is strong.

…I pat my skirt, feeling the console still in my pocket.

Hmm…

This sky isn’t really fit for this season.

I let out a breath, seeing a slight bit of fog come from it.

Then, I retreat to the corner—gently sitting on the floor and finally, inserting the cartridge.

A breath escaped my nose, seeing Kirby with the upbeat music.

I reach for the knob, turning the audio down a bit.

…It seems I start from the beginning again.

Well, it’s not like I got that far to begin with.

…

…

…Sitting down and letting myself indulge in something like this.

It feels strange.

I’m not very good.

I keep dying and starting all over but—

It’s somewhat reassuring.

…It’s like, I don’t really have to think about anything.

I… I put the console down, leaving it on my lap as I looked around the rooftop.

Time passes a bit too quickly when I’m… distracted.

I look at the distance, making out the view while—the game’s song keeps playing.

Maybe I should pause for now.

…I slide the switch on the side, turning it off.

Then, it pours.

I—I immediately stood, holding the console close as I rushed back inside the building.

Did it get wet…?

It… no, thank goodness.

Hah—to think it’d suddenly…

No, I was just too absorbed in the game…

I closed the rooftop door, walking down the stairs to wander around Mugi’s floor.

The hallway wasn’t so busy, but the bell hasn’t rang yet so… I’m probably safe.

I stand by the window and just watch outside.

Seeing the courtyard gradually get wet.

…I wonder how I’ll get home after class.

I wouldn’t really want to… wait till evening again.

Hah—

I hold the console firmly, before turning around.

“...”

We both don’t speak, just…

The bell which happened to be nearby is set off—ringing my ears loudly.

Then it stops.

I should… go.

“W-wait,” he steps forward.

“...” I look at him, then look away.

I walk past him and begin walking down the stairs.

“Can we talk…?”

“...The bell just rang so—”

“Later…?”

“...” I squeeze my lips, holding the console near my chest.

“I’ll wait for you in the… the second floor.”

I continue walking down the stairs… to my floor, and back to the classroom.

…Hayashi’s sleeping.

I—

I sit down, quietly so as to not… disturb him.

The rain fell gently, somewhat soothing from the inside.

I fold inwards, burying my head in my arms as I…

Keep my eyes shut.

All this time I’ve been… no, I—

…

…What’s wrong with me…?

I don’t even know what happened but…

“...Good afternoon, don’t worry—we’ll just be going on a slight review today.”

Why am I even running…?

“For the past few weeks we’ve been a bit too fast with our lessons… so consider today a small break.”

I’m so pathetic…

…

What is there even to talk about?

First of all why did he—

…I readjust myself.

Can’t I just not go…?

Do I really have to… go…?

…I sit up, keeping my head down as—

…

Today, of all days.

I just… want to go home.

…

…

…

I feel a tap on my arm.

…It taps me again.

I lift my head up, seeing the barren classroom.

And beside me… Hayashi.

“...Are you okay?”

“...” I nod, seeing him pull back once I’ve raised my head.

“It’s still raining…” He lets out a sigh. “I assume you have an umbrella?”

“...” I shake my head, and he smiles gently.

Silence falls as he… stares outside.

I turn to look to my left, seeing the turmoil the rain had become.

“How long has it been…?”

“...Ten minutes or something, I thought I could wait it out.”

“...You don’t have an…?”

“I do… I just—want to let it settle for a bit.” He says, letting out a sigh as he leans on his table. “I can walk you home, if that’s fine with you.”

…That’d be…

Wait—

Hah… I scratch my head, closing my eyes as I just let out a sigh.

“I… have matters to tend to so—you should go first,” I hold my cheek. Looking at the rain, then him. “What if it gets stronger later?”

“That’s true.” He pauses, looking at me—then the rain outside. “Will you really be fine?”

“Mhm… I’ll just wait it out again.”

“...” He drops his umbrella on his desk, unzipping his bag to pull out a paper. “You can…” He begins writing something down. “...contact me, if you still haven’t got home.”

“...That’d be too much.”

“Just in case,” he says, handing me the paper with his… contact.

I nod, holding the paper and he raises a hand.

…I wave goodbye, he does too.

Leaving me alone… by myself.

…

I blink a few times.

Holding my hands together.

Just staring at the note.

Watching the rain outside…

Then, I stand.

Folding the note and keeping it in my blazer.

…?

His… console.

I forgot to—

I ran outside to the hallway, rushing to the locker room to see that… no one’s there.

I’ll… return it tomorrow.

…

…I pack up my stuff, carry my bag and just—stand in the hallway.

The rain… makes itself heard as I—

Do I even…

…

I pat my left pocket.

My phone…

Do I call him…?

I should’ve just—

“...Aihara-san.”

I hear a voice from the stairway.

“H-hey…”

I turn around, finally seeing him come from the second floor.

“I thought you left already,” he mumbles.

…I—

“...What is it you wanted to talk about?”

“...” He stands there, barely visible.

The rain only grew louder as… he just stood there.

“...Did I do something wrong?”

“Wrong…?” I… mumble.

I swallow nothing, just—watching him.

Wrong…?

Like he didn’t just…

…

“...Is it not obvious?” I say, breathing in more to settle myself.

He nods.

Then, silence.

…There isn’t even anything to… talk about.

I breathe in, and out.

He’s…

…

“I’m sorry.”

He says.

…

“I just couldn’t—”

He pauses.

“...What?” I ask.

“Was I too pushy…? When I invited you back then?”

…I shake my head, looking at the floor.

“I just… it just hurt me seeing it.”

“...Seeing what…?” I ask.

“I… I don’t really—”

He keeps stopping, I…

I can’t understand him… at all.

“...Nishino-kun, I don’t… understand what you’re trying to get at.”

“I just…!” He speaks, then… stops. “You could’ve just told me.”

“Told you what…?”

“That you didn’t want to go, that… I was a bother to you all along, how…”

“Wait—wait, I…? I didn’t want to go?” I ask, trying to make out his face.

“I mean, after I invited you to… go out somewhere—you immediately began avoiding me.”

“Hah? I never even…”

“How come you came to school so late just to avoid me…? When I saw you you just looked at me as if you didn’t—”

“Avoid you…? I never did that…”

“You’ve been avoiding me these past few weeks though!”

“Because you kept me waiting by myself, I… I was waiting for you and yet—” I swallow nothing… breathing in—and out. Closing my eyes, trying not to—

“Waited…? You actually waited?” His voice drops.

“Of course, you told me to wait… after school,”

…I don’t understand.

I look at him, just—confused.

“...I thought you… no—no, couldn’t you have just walked up to me or something…?” He questions me, the light finally reaching his face. “If you just talked to me all of this wouldn’t have happened…”

“...If I just… talked to you…? I thought you were busy, while you—” I stop, looking at him… But I just— “You’re blaming me…? Haha… unbelievable.”

“I mean, how would I know you weren’t avoiding me…?! The way you act with him and the way you act with me is completely… different.”

“With who…?”

“Hayashi-kun, who else? You’re always so chummy with him! But when I talk to you suddenly you’re just so different.”

“Wait—wait, what are you suddenly getting at…?”

“Every time I try to talk to you, you're always just so distant! Whenever I try to get close, you make all the excuses to get away—but when you’re with him, suddenly you’re all happy and—”

“...Can you stop? With… all these assumptions?” I close my eyes, then look at him. “You—invited me to hang out after school, and just because I was late… you assumed I was avoiding you?! Just because I talk to Hayashi, you assume I preferred him over you…? What would it even matter if I did? You’re ridiculous…”

“What’s so different about him anyway…?” He asks, his voice barely audible in this rain. “I’ve… liked you since middle school, I always talked to you back then but suddenly you don’t remember me. You were never like that—you were never the girl who would suddenly fall for someone, so how come…? If you’d just… stayed that way then maybe we—”

…I—

We both lock eyes, tears running down his cheek.

All we could ever really hear was the rain outside.

I stood still, unable to take my gaze off… him.

“I… like you, Aihara-san…” His head drops. “...Please, look at me just this once.”

My ears rang… suddenly pierced with something.

It’s loud.

Uncomfortable.

And… I just don’t understand.

“You… like me…?”

“Yes… it’s been so long. It breaks my heart seeing you with him all the time.”

“...What even is there to like about me…?”

“...” He looks down, then at me—and just…

“See…?” I drop my shoulders. “All this conflict just because you’re in love with someone who you think is me…”

“But—I am…!”

“This person you’re talking about… isn’t me.”

…I look outside, seeing nothing but the pouring rain.

He looks at me—about to say something.

I… shake my head, and he lets his head down.

It continues to ring my ears, he says something I couldn’t really make out.

…I shake my head again and just walk past him, returning to the classroom—keeping it locked.

I drop my bag, walking towards the corner—by my seat… and just—

Surrendering to the floor.

To the corner.

Holding both hands to cover my ears… as through the locked door—

Just staring at me…