You're Alright

…Usually she would be sitting still, her gaze locked to what’s outside.

Yet today, her hair drapes all over… not messily but—I can barely see her face.

If only she’d go to the nurse—

“Hayashi-kun?” Watanabe-san calls, standing with Taiki by the door.

“Ah—yeah, coming.” I look at her one last time, and promptly follow along.

“Have you looked up the games I recommended?” Taiki mentions as we walk down the hallway.

“No, I haven’t.”

“...I was just talking to you last night, couldn’t you have looked it up immediately?”

“I was studying.”

“Wow, Hayashi-kun studying?” Watanabe-san butted in.

“It’s you two who are addicted.”

“Just him,” she points at Taiki.

He looks back, and just proudly sighs. “You’d understand if you just give it a try.”

The smell of varying foods welcomed us into the cafeteria, as usual.

I keep my hands in my pockets, looking around.

And before I know it, Taiki’s already in line for ramen.

“...Are you up for ramen too?” She asks me.

I look at Watanabe-san, then at the distant menu.

“Hm, why not.” I mutter before walking over to Taiki.

“What are you getting?” Watanabe-san asks as she stares at the menu.

“Not sure…” I hold my neck, though eventually—”Taiki, Shoyu.”

“Miso for me!” She adds.

He turns back and stares at us with daggers.

As if it’s not routine already.

We move over to the usual table, surprisingly clear amidst this crowd.

I sit down, looking around as Watanabe-san sits in front of me.

“To think… Taiki-kun would get you on a call.”

“No, we were texting—I was reviewing after all.”

“...I see.” She nods.

I stay still, crossing my arms.

Looking to see Taiki finally having his turn.

…Hmm.

I can’t help but wonder if she’s alright.

Ever since we got to school…

She looked like she’d crumble at any point.

Now she’s… skipping lunch altogether, I think.

It’d be bad if it went on like this.

Maybe I should get her something.

Though I don’t really know what she eats for lunch.

All I see is her drinking juice and tea.

Though… she may not even have the energy to eat.

…Maybe a sports drink will do.

“Watanabe-san, I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Hm? Where are you going?”

“Just buying something.”

I picked up a Pocari Sweat and left the cafeteria.

I walk back to the classroom, and look to see… she’s still there.

…I don’t know how many times this is now but, I lightly tap her shoulder.

She raises her head, and looks at me.

“Take this.” I say, extending the bottle towards her.

But for some reason, she looks at me—then behind me.

She tilts her head, almost confused.

Until finally, her gaze returns to me. “How much was this?” Her voice comes out frail.

“...Don’t worry about it,” I responded… watching her take it with both hands.

She holds the bottle close, simply staring at it.

Before lifting her head and looking at me.

“Thanks, again, Hayashi.”

I nod.

She looks down again.

So I turn around and leave.

…

Eventually returning to the cafeteria, I’m immediately spotted.

Watanabe-san raises a hand, and looks at my hand.

“...I thought you bought something?”

“Yeah, I just finished it quickly.”

“Oh… so that’s why you went upstairs, there’s bins here too you know?” She laughs as I sit next to Taiki.

“...I forgot.” I smile, scratch my neck and Taiki hands me a pair of chopsticks.

“Thanks.”

…The cafeteria is loud, as it always is.

But I don’t think it’s a bad place to eat.

Especially with these people.

It tends to end up fine.

The school bell blares across the cafeteria.

A few classes left and it’ll be…

Right, I have duty today.

We slowly walk with the crowd exiting the cafeteria.

…The two continue to ramble on.

Though I can’t exactly follow.

So I just listen in.

It’s not like they mind.

…Upon our return, there she lies, just quietly breathing.

The drink at the edge of her desk, already somewhat opened.

Good.

I hope that makes her even a little better.

It’d be quite unsafe to… go home like… this.

The sky is dark… it isn’t supposed to be.

Hah—maybe that doomsday theory is coming true.

I let out a sigh, turning to see Watanabe-san over at Taiki’s desk.

She looks at me, just curious.

I raise a brow, and she returns to what they’re doing.

Once Amano-sensei arrived, everyone settled for the lecture to commence.

I notice her looking over, noticing Aihara-san asleep.

“...Is she okay?” She quietly mouths.

I shrug… look at her for a moment, and look back at Amano-sensei.

She looks concerned, but the best we can do is not wake her up.

“Well… how attentive, you have your textbooks out already.” Amano-sensei smiles, and everyone does too. “You don’t need them, take today as free time to rest.”

Between cheering loudly and letting out a sigh… nobody could decide.

I stuffed my textbook back under my desk and so did everyone.

Now… What should I do?

I didn’t bring my console.

Nor the book that I was reading.

I look at Taiki, secretly playing under his desk.

Watanabe-san, talking to some of her friends.

Aihara-san… looking around.

Why’d she wake up all of a sudden?

“...Free time, apparently.” I explained.

Her eyes land at me for a moment.

Blinking a few times, before looking at her watch… and looking outside.

After a bit, she opens the drink and takes a sip before immediately going right back to sleep.

…Looking at her without context, just seems funny.

But I do hope she gets better.

I silently tap my desk, leaning back and just…

Hmm.

I stand, raising my hand and pointing outside.

Amano-sensei nods before returning to what she’s handling on her desk.

…I suppose it isn’t bad to have periods of break every once in a while.

Unlike in Yamada-sensei’s lecture, we’re constantly catching up on lessons. It's a bit difficult to feel stable.

I return to the cafeteria.

The ramen was great but… it’d be nice to have a snack.

It isn’t that unusual to visit here during class hours.

That’s what makes this place breathable as opposed to other prestigious high schools.

Hmm… I picked up a small box of mousse pocky.

I’ll eat it along the way so no one asks for one.

Leaving the cafeteria… I see a normal cloudy sky.

I don’t have an umbrella so, what a relief.

I stood in the hallway, leaning by the window as I ate the pocky piece by piece.

…It’s sweet.

At least I have water.

Eventually, the box ran empty.

I turn to the end of the hallway, about to…

“...Is that pocky?”

I see the pres, conveniently approaching my direction.

“Yes.”

“May I?” Her eyes spark, so I nod and hand her the box.

Of course… she stares at me, folds the box and tosses it straight to the bins.

“I was about to throw the box, and you expect it to have something?” I hold back a laugh.

She rolls her eyes and continues walking.

“...I haven’t seen Mizuki by the way.”

“She’s in the classroom.”

“I see… well I’ll be stopping here.” She stands in front of the student council room. “Bring an unopened box next time, chunky strawberry.”

“Sure, sure.”

I proceed down the hallway, and return to the classroom.

The following class remained uneventful… just a recall to the previous lesson since some still have trouble catching up.

Once homeroom settled, everyone began leaving in groups.

“I’ll be going on ahead, Taiki-kun, Hayashi-kun.” Watanabe-san waves at us as she leaves with other people.

Taiki looks at me, about to leave…

“Take your trash out.”

“Just… I mean you’re technically already cleaning so—”

And he runs.

Outrageous.

Now… as the last few people left.

Only Aihara-san remains.

I sit on my desk, just staring outside—and just checking to…

She seems alright.

I look around, other students pass by the hallway, all of them collectively heading to leave the school.

I think she can stay for a little longer but the dust would be bad for her.

It’d be better if she would rest at home immediately.

I reach forward… and stop.

Though inevitably, I let out a sigh.

“...Aihara-san.” I call for her.

I watch as her hand twitches.

“Hey.” I called again… and finally her head lifted. “It isn’t raining so… you can probably head home immediately.”

“I’m… my bad.” She finally sits up.

Her hair is a little messy, she notices immediately and adjusts her bangs.

“You…” I stop.

But I’ve already gotten her attention, and she waits for me to…

…She really looks pale.

“...Don’t worry.” I lean over, taking her bag to put on my desk, gently tidying it. “Are all of your things here?”

“...Um, yes, I suppose.”

There doesn’t seem to be anything else on her desk…

…I nod, walking around before leaning on a desk.

The place doesn’t seem too dirty.

Cleaning will probably just take a short while.

…I hear her chair move, and watch as she finally stands.

She places a hand over her bag and just… stands there.

“Be careful on your way home.” I smile faintly, and she looks at me.

“...What about you?”

“Classroom duty.”

She nods, taking her bag and slowly leaving the room.

I guess it’s time to clean.

Opening every window.

Setting every chair aside.

And dusting everything…

Isn’t really much of a hassle.

The person scheduled with me has never really done anything since May.

He thinks he can get away so easily.

But I have records of his months of continuous absence.

I’ve talked to him several times so I could have reason to throw this away but… you can’t really help someone who won’t help themselves.

So I’ll present this for the annual student check-up.

…Almost ethereal, the sunset peeks through the hallway, and makes the classroom a little more vibrant.

If only I’d brought my camera.

What a shame.

All the chairs fall back in place.

The board is clean of any writing.

The windows are clean and shut.

Nothing seems astray… so I pack up the broom and duster—back to the locker.

Hah—I hold my waist, looking around.

I suppose it’s done.

I take my bag, wearing it over my shoulder and finally, closing the door.

…I turn to the faculty room, and the door opens.

“Yes…?”

I look around… our homeroom teacher isn’t really here.

“I’ve finished the classroom duty for our class, please tell Furokawa-sensei once she returns.”

“...I understand, what’s your name again?”

“Hayashi Kousei.”

“...Okay, I’ll let her know.”

I lightly bow my head and can finally… go home.

The hallway’s really clear.

This somewhat reminds me of middle school and how I…

Maybe I should get back to clubs.

You can never beat the feeling of going home late after doing something.

…With how quiet the hallway has become, I hear someone running.

It isn’t usually allowed but, it’s this late so it’s fine I… suppose.

In the distance… Aihara-san?

Why is she—?

She kept running until I could eventually see her clearly.

Did something happen?

“I—” I try to talk, but don’t—

I catch her in my arms, bringing her to a stop—

She’s breathing heavily, not really looking at me.

I hold her arms, and she’s… trembling.

“...H-Hey.” I call as I hold her tighter.

…She finally looks up.

Still breathing frantically.

Her eyes dart around until they calm down.

Her breathing too…

Her grasp on my arm, loosened.

And… is she okay?

“Aihara-san…” I call her name but… why does she—

I let go of her arms and she just stood there.

“Are you okay?”

She isn’t even… looking at me.

I look around, no one else in the hallway.

I look at her… still standing like, she isn’t even here…?

I wave my hand, and her eyes don’t seem to notice.

I hold both her arms gently… she still isn’t…

“Hey… I’m here, are you…?”

What do I even…?

I scratch my neck.

She’s clearly not here…

I don’t think she’s… okay.

…I don’t understand.

Her expression doesn’t change, but she’s breathing.

I… held her by the arms and pulled her aside, and she seemed to follow.

…

“...Aihara-san.” I try again, still no response.

I… don’t know what to do.

I look around, still no one in sight.

Maybe she’ll follow me if I…

I take her wrist, slowly stepping back… there.

She followed.

Do I just walk her home…?

The hospital…? No, what would this even be?

I keep holding her wrist, just walking and she’s following me.

I bring her inside an empty classroom.

…What’s going on…?

I’ve never heard of something like this.

It’s like she’s sleepwalking but…

No, something must’ve happened.

Is it a medical condition at the very least…?

For now… she’s sitting on a chair.

She does respond to movement but, I don’t think she’s mentally here.

I sit on a desk, looking at her… then notice teachers passing by the hallway.

I should…

No.

I don’t think…

I watch as they pass by, leaving us alone.

I’m not exactly sure but… I don’t think she’s the type to…

I look down, to my hand.

…Maybe if I get her home, that way her parents could take care of her.

It’d be a bit difficult explaining this but, they might know what happened.

…But I don’t know where she lives.

I… get off the desk.

Watching her and just… crouching in front of her.

“Aihara-san…” I try to get her attention. “...Mizuki…?”

No…

I look to the side, noticing her trembling hand.

Why just…

I reach for it, and I feel her hold back.

…

…

Holding her hand, I let her stand.

“I’ll… take you home, I hope you can at least hear me.” I mumble, yet she doesn’t react. “My grandmother is home, I just… I hope you’ll wake up later.”

…The sun had already set.

We walked through the quiet streets.

Firmly holding onto her hand as she followed.

…I found her bag at the entrance earlier.

I don’t know what happened.

But I…

I really don’t know.

…

…

…

I turned off the light… so it won’t blind her once she wakes up.

I’m not sure if I should be doing this but—I stay by her side, holding her hand as she sleeps on my bed.

She looks a little more—less frantic than earlier.

I can’t really let go of her hand because… it's trembling.

And it’s the only part of her responding to me.

So I firmly hold her hand.

She’s still cold.

…

…

Looking at her a little carefully, it’s difficult to notice everything with no light.

But she really looks vulnerable.

…What would’ve happened if I didn’t find her there?

If someone else found her?

It’s like…

…There are things people don’t talk about in general.

And it’s always been the proper response to not ask… unless they give it themselves.

Yet… I can’t help but wonder what happened.

She looked so frantic.

Then suddenly… like she isn’t even there.

“...Kousei?”

I hear from the hallway.

“Yes…?”

“Your parents are on the phone. They’re calling for you.”

“...I understand.”

I… let go of her hand.

It doesn’t seem to tremble.

I lift the blankets a little higher, and look at her one last time.

Her eyes closed, and just steadily breathing.

“I’ll be back in a bit…” I mutter, before quietly leaving the room.

“They’re still on the line.” My grandmother says as she’s in the kitchen preparing dinner.

And… I pick up the phone.

“Hello?” I say.

“Kousei, how are things?” I hear his voice on the line.

“Things are fine.”

“...I see.”

“...”

I stand with the phone by my ear, glancing up the stairs—my grandmother carrying a platter.

“...Have you been managing your budget?” He finally talks.

“Yes.”

“You don’t have anything you need?”

“Not really…”

“...” The line goes quiet again, I could faintly hear him talking to someone in the background. “...Have you heard about the influenza cases there recently?”

“Yes, it was on the news.”

“You’re taking care of yourself right?”

“Mhm.”

“...What? Hold on—” He goes quiet as I watch my grandmother walk down the stairs. “...Your mother asks if you’re taking the vitamins she sent over.”

“I do, grandmother reminds me every time.”

“I see, that’s nice to hear.”

“...Is there anything else?”

“Well… many of your cousins have been asking about you, they’re wondering if you’d visit them.”

“I’m a bit… busy with school.”

“I understand… have your friends been well?”

“Yeah, it’s the usual.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

…I nod, though he can’t really see me.

He goes quiet again, though I hear him talking to someone.

Must be mother.

…Making him do the talking.

As usual.

“What about… your professors?”

“They handle teaching well.”

“...Is that so? Right, you have exams soon.”

“Yeah.”

“Make sure you don’t miss anything from lectures… have your grades been well?”

“Yes, I don’t disregard my studies.”

“Make sure you don’t overwork yourself.”

“Yes, father.”

“...Your mother has been worried for a while.” He speaks.

I stare at the telephone, my hand on the table as I wait.

“She’s working on transferring you here in Tokyo.”

“I’m staying here.”

“...She’s just worried about your grades.”

“My grades are normal, there’s no reason to move.”

“Haven’t you considered the benefits of applying to Todai for university?”

“I have.”

“...” I hear him clear his throat. “I’ll pass the phone to your mother.”

“No, just tell her I don’t want to.”

“It’s not that simple…”

“Goodnight.”

“...Goodnight, Kousei.”

I put the phone down, letting out a sigh,

…Staring at the wall as I just…

Hah—

“It’s egg soup, it’s nice to have every once in a while.” My grandmother says… to who?

I blink a few times and turn around.

Seeing Aihara-san… with my grandmother.

“Thank you, grandmother.”

…She’s awake.

“How was it?” Grandmother asks.

“They’re wondering about my grades.”

“That’s it…?”

“Yeah, it’s not like they check anything else.”

“Those kids…” She lets out a sigh and quickly passes by me.

…I look at her.

She still looks unwell—fragile I’d say. But…

“How are you feeling?” I ask… sitting beside her.

“...I don’t know, I feel fine—rather.”

It seems… she doesn’t—

I shake my head, moving closer to the table as I glance at her, and look back down to the bowl in front of me.

“...I didn’t really know where you lived so I just brought you here.” I explain in a low voice.

I look at her to see… she just nods.

I nod as well, watching as she keeps her hand on the bowl.

It must be warm.

All this time she felt cold to the touch.

Then finally, she began eating.

…

I let out a sigh, and began eating too.

Though, admittedly… glancing at her from time to time.

Seeing her just eating.

…I’m glad she’s alright.