Chapter 2 (What's Happening?)
After making sure they were well away from the highway, Shou said angrily,
"What do you want, Tomoko?"
School Yard
Today the weather was sunny, just like your brightness.
Although it was only the second day of school, for Eiko it felt like a month had passed. She was so lonely that she couldn't even realize time was passing—until she saw a cute girl approaching her while sitting in the yard.
"Hi, I'm Miyu. You must be Eiko, right?"
"Oh yes, I am. And you?"
"I'm from your class. I saw you alone and wanted to be friends."
"Ah, that would be great, come sit."
The warm conversation between them felt as if they had been friends for years. For the first time since then, Eiko felt this peaceful.
Miyu: "Let me tell you a little about the school."
Miyu had repeated a grade because of psychological problems.
Miyu: "That trio of girls, they're really bad."
"Oh, why?"
"The leader is Makoto. She blocks little kids' paths and takes their money. The other, Nana, is very sneaky but also kind of dumb. The last one is Yui. I don't know why she hangs out with them."
"Wow, that's really interesting."
Doesn't this sudden friendship between them seem strange to you too?
For Shou, schools should be closed; he might be considered the number one person who hates people who hate school.
Humming a song in his beautiful voice down the boring school corridor, he was heading to his classroom when a hand suddenly touched his shoulder.
Unexpectedly, Tomoko appeared in front of him.
"What are you doing here? This will be misunderstood."
Tomoko: "You didn't do what I told you, Shou."
"Shut up!"
"Look, Tomoko, stop it. Whatever I say, Haru… heee… stay away from me, that matter is closed!"
Because Shou unknowingly spoke aloud again, someone passing by overheard their conversation and heard Shou call Tomoko "Haru." After realizing this, they both suddenly disappeared to different places, but it was already too late.
Shou, walking angrily, saw a crowd gathered in front of a classroom and eavesdropped.
In a quiet and calm voice, the person said:
"I heard Shou and Tomoko's conversation, and Shou called Tomoko 'Haru.' I wonder why?"
Hearing this, Shou became more tense but could do nothing.
It was all too late now.
He headed toward his classroom.
(Classroom)
When Shou arrived at his classroom, Eiko was again looking at him like an enemy; it was suffocating.
What did she have against him?
During the lesson, Shou received another message from Yui, one of the girls.
Yui: "Hey Shou, come outside."
Shou: "Okay, I'm coming."
Since he was in class, he couldn't leave immediately.
Shou: "Teacher, may I go to the bathroom? It's urgent."
Teacher: "Go quickly and come back."
Hurrying out of the school, Shou thought, "What's going on with this girl? It seems like there's some news," and ran outside.
Yui's face showed fear; she immediately hugged Shou.
Seeing this and following Shou, Eiko thought there was something between them.
With the noise of Eiko's foot hitting the ground, tension arose between Shou and Yui.
Yui: "What's happening? Did they come?"
Shou: "Get behind me."
Eiko: "I'm caught!" — just then, the teacher appeared.
Teacher: "What are you doing here, Shou? Is this the bathroom?"
Shou: "Teacher, um…"
Teacher: "Go immediately; you're punished."
Shou: "But teacher…"
Shou saw Eiko hiding behind the wall, and at that moment the bell rang.
Shou: "Could Eiko be one of the traitors?"
After school, Shou quickly messaged Yui:
"We need to meet at our place immediately.