Rift

Lilly hangs her head slightly, rubbing at her temples. She was tired, exhausted and wearing thin after a long day at school followed by class rep work and then student council matters. Still, she tried to keep herself in a proper manner, hiding her quickly diminishing patience with the president. “Misha, please tell Shizune that none of this work needs to be done tonight. It is almost eleven o'clock. If we stay working any longer, we may be late for school tomorrow.“

Misha makes the signs, communicating between the two girls. Shizune watches, then shakes her head and rolls her eyes at Lilly, making her own hands signs at the blind girl, confident Misha can follow along.

“Shichan says that may be true, but if we complete the forms tonight, that means we won't have any work to do tomorrow. And even if we miss the first hour of class, we can make up for it. This is the for the council, we're doing this for the school!“
“Misha, please inform Shizune that some of us require more time in the morning to prepare than others. And skipping out on class because of a late night is no excuse, no matter what business we may be taking care of at the time.“

More signs, more translations.

“Shichan thinks you just want to call it a night because you want to push the work off to later. Again~!“

Lilly glowers. “That is not it at all. This would normally be a simple task, but with just the three of us, it's becoming more and more difficult to keep up under the work load you place on it. Most of these tasks can be delegated to the class representatives, we do not need to take on such a burden.“

Shizune rolls her eyes.

“That's just a fancy was of saying 'I'll do it later'! You are a class rep, which means that the work will be done later when it's at your convenience. We have an obligation to the school that you're trying to shirk~!

“I am doing no such thing and I'm offended you would suggest that! I am merely pointing out the very obvious fact that there is only three of us and that this is entirely too much menial labor for three people to take care of on their own. If we recruit the other classes and their representatives to help us, this work will be done more efficiently and more quickly than the three of us staying up to a terrible hour doing it ourselves.“

“Shichan says that's only if we can convince the reps to help us and they're lazy! Like you~!“

“Misha, tell Shizune to stop calling me that. And if they do not want to help, then the only reason for that is because of Shizune. It is one thing to expect a certain level of quality in work, it is an entirely different manner to browbeat and alienate every person who lends a hand because they do not match your unrealistic ideas of perfection! A simple clerical error or spelling mistake is not reason enough to force a person to complete an entire task a second time. No too mention your terrible treatment of our council members with conditions that require them to take time off.“

“If they can't keep up with the rest of us, they shouldn't have joined in the first place.“

“'The rest of us'? Forgive me, Misha, but how many people are in this room at this exact moment?“

Misha looks blank for a second, then turns about in a circle to look around. “Um, just us, Lichan.”
“Please tell Shizune this fact since she seems to have forgotten that because of her boorish leadership skills, the three of us are the only council members left and that she has effectively chased off everyone who was willing to give us assistance.“

Misha begins signing, but Shizune cuts her off harshly with her own signs.
“Shichan says she knows that, but takes offense at how you said it. She thinks they just weren't tough enough for this work and she thinks that maybe you are too.“

“Oh, I am too tired to deal with your petty insults, Shizune. Misha, I am going to bed. Would you kindly set my share of the work aside? I will be recruiting some help from my class. Tell the president that it will be done in time.“

Lilly prepares her things while Shizune looks on in utter shock at her departure, walking away in the middle of a conversation. She signs quickly after a smug grin crosses her face.

“Giving up~?”
“No, I am not giving up. I am postponing this foolish argument until a time that I am not exhausted. Good day, Shizune. Misha, have a good night. Do not let Shizune convince you to lose sleep.“
“Okay, Lichan~! Nighty-night~!”

Lilly tucks her bag in the crook of her arm, unfolds her cane and walks towards the door.

Shizune crosses her arms, leaning back in her chair before she makes a few signs for Misha.
“Shichan says goodnight as well, Lichan! She say to get your beauty sleep, she knows how you need it. She'll keep working and be the responsible one in the family.“

Lilly stops and turns around. “I don't think we share all that much in familial similarities.“
Misha smiles absentmindedly. “That's what Shichan said about Akira!”

Lilly's face turns cross. “What about my sister?”
“Shichan says that Akira must have gotten all the drive in the gene pool~! She thinks it's too bad that she got such a lazy sister.“ Misha's smile turns downwards. ”Shichan, that isn't very nice....“

Lilly tightens her grip on her cane. “You tell Shizune to keep my sister out of this. If she has a problem with me, that is fine, but she is not to talk about my family.“

Misha slowly signs, being careful about her words. Translating for Shizune is usually fun, but the atmosphere in the room was anything but. Shizune signs some words for Misha to relay, but she hesitates.

“Well, Misha, what does she say to that?”
Misha stammers a little before speaking. “It's just... well, Shichan thinks that it must have been....“
“Yes?”
“I don't want to.”

Lilly tries to force a smile to set Misha at ease. “Misha, I understand this isn't you, you're only saying what Shizune is, no matter how boorish and short minded it may be. I appreciate your help, but I would like to know what she said.

Misha fiddles with her long hair, circling the brown locks around her fingers nervously.
“She said... she said that it must have been a bother for Akira living with you for so long.“
“Well, you can tell her that I did all the domestic duties around the house, so she is wrong about that.“
Silence.
“Well?” Lilly asks.

“She says... of course you did. You would have to since your parents left.“

Lilly's mouth drops open in an unbecoming expression of shock.

She quickly rallies herself, sucking in a deep breath to remain calm. “You tell her that is hurtful and I will not stand by while she drags my family into our disagreement.“

Misha looks back and forth while Shizune continues to sign, a proud smirk on her face. “Shichan, don't,” Misha whispers.
“What did she say?”
“Nothing. Shichan didn't say anything”
“Misha I demand you to tell me the truth.”
“I don't want to.”
“Misha, now!”

Misha jumps a little at Lilly's bark. Slowly and fearfully, Misha stammers. “She said... she said it's no wonder your parents left you behind.“

Lilly goes very still, her face a neutral mask. Her normally careful posture is ridged and she tightly grasps her cane in her hands. “Misha, where is Shizune?”
“She's sitting at the table, Lichan.”

Lilly steps forward, using her cane to guide her until it bumps into one of the table legs.

Taking a very calm breath, Lilly explodes, slamming her cane into the table, making Misha flinch and Shizune duck out of the way. “Don't you ever talk about my family, you horrid little girl!“ Lilly screams. She slams her fists into the table, bellowing while Shizune stares in wonder and shock.

“Don't you dare talk about them! You unpleasant, petty harpy! It's no wonder we're the only ones working here, no one can stand you! You're so selfish, you only ever think of yourself! You chase away everyone who tries to help you, tries to be nice to you! It's only  a matter of time before you are all alone and that is what you deserve! My family loves me! They adore me! My father calls me all the time, your father can't stand you! He hates you! He hates everything about you! Everyone knows it except you! He can't stand being around you and it's no wonder since you are such a busy little worm!“

Both Shizune and Misha are left in stunned silence while Lilly continues to rant against them, all Shizune knowing is Lilly's silent screams and furious movements, slapping her hands into the table over and over again.

“I'm with my sister all the time, when was the last you were with your little brother!? Have they ever visited you? Have they ever sent you anything?“ she continues. ”No! Because they're glad you're out of the house! They couldn't wait to get rid of you! My mother loves me! I talk to her all the time! You will never have that! You will never have what we have! Don't you ever, ever dare talk about my family ever again or so help me Shizune Misha won't be able to save you! You bitch!“

She slaps her cane into the table again and storms off. Before finding the door, hand on the wall, Lilly shouts back. “Misha! You tell her! You make sure she knows everything I just said! I want her to know how much everyone hates her! How much they despise her! It's why the council fell apart! She's an unpleasant, rude, bossy little girl with no friends! You tell her they hate her!“

Lilly slams the door behind her as she makes her explosive exit.

Misha and Shizune are left staring in silent horror over what just happened. Misha looks more terrified but it's Shizune who looks the most frightened. The look in her eyes is the look someone who pushed too far has when they realize their mistake.