Miki Route 2-9: Early Birds

label en_M9:

    #Black screen, alarm beeping

    #smack

    #eyes open to Hisao's bedroom, morning

    "As soon as the alarm wakes me, I regret setting it last night. I was having such a nice dream, too. It feels like I barely got any sleep at all."

    "I'm tempted to close my eyes again and fall back asleep, but they're already adjusting to the dimmed light in my room."

    "Even so, I don't feel like getting up just yet. Instead, I stare up at the ceiling, trying in vain to remember what I was dreaming about."

    "All I remember is feeling like I was floating on air, a sensation like being in an elevator going up."

    "I try to recreate that pleasant feeling, but lying in bed simply doesn't compare. Even the memory of it is fading."

    "The ceiling doesn't offer any clues about my dream, so I turn my head to the alarm clock instead. 8 AM. If only I hadn't given up on finishing my homework last night, I wouldn't have to get up this early on a Sunday."

    "Maybe I'll just go back to sleep for another hour, not like that's going to make much difference, is it?"

    "Besides, didn't Miki say I should learn to take advantage of my condition? I need to get all the rest I can."

    "My hand lazily moves to the little clock on my nightstand, but my fingers slide off its smooth plastic surface and settle for Miki's stopwatch instead. I click the buttons at random, watching time start, stop and reset itself."

    "I should take this with me, I think I remember reading somewhere that athletes can be superstitious about these things. Miki even called me her good luck charm just a couple days ago."

    "I'm not sure if I believe in that sort of thing myself; at the very least I don't want to rely on it. With one last click I reset the stopwatch again. It's time to get up."

    #time skip

    "In a fresh set of clothes and with my hair still damp from the shower, I sit down at my desk to finish what I started yesterday."

    "The surface is covered in a mess of books, notepads, markers and pens, like the aftermath of some kind of school supply war that was fought here last night."

    "Like a rescue unit clearing away debris, I move some of the clutter aside."

    "It doesn't look good."

    "The workload ahead of me is too big for me to even try. It's still too early to think about all this, I can always do my homework tonight."

    "Content with procrastinating, I push myself away from the desk and up on my feet."

    "It's amazing how putting something off until later can feel like a kind of accomplishment."

    "The stopwatch slides into my pocket and without looking back I head out."

    #Track

    "From my dorm I head straight for the track. At least this early I might get to spend some time with Miki before things get hectic."

    "Unfortunately, any chance of that goes right out the window when I arrive."

    "The track is abuzz with the sound of dozens of track and field club members readying the grounds for today's event."

    "A handful of students have taken to cleaning the bleachers, running along the long benches with a cloth. From the way they're cheering, I gather they're having a race over it. I suppose there just aren't enough of those scheduled for today."

    "They run past the long benches, pressing a cloth against the seats in a way that makes me wonder if they even care about actually wiping it down at all."

    "Their exuberant cheers and the winner's celebration answer that question."

    "The students on the track have abandoned all pretense of setting up the event and are running warm-up laps instead. I look for Miki, but she isn't among them."

    "Watching them isn't nearly as captivating as watching her run; they don't really make me want to join them, either."

    "Over by the finish line a tall student has taken it upon himself to hang up a banner, helped by a couple of girls who make sure they don't get in the way of the runners."

    "Looks like they've got things covered, too."

    "Compared to the festival, this meet looks to be pretty well organized; everyone knows what to do and despite the horseplay the preparations seem to be coming along smoothly."

    "Maybe I shouldn't have held off on joining the track and field club. At least if I had joined, I'd have been given something to do now."

    "I look around, scanning the faces of the students around me for someone familiar. When I spot a flash of pink, I feel a sense of relief, though only briefly."

    "Misha's sitting on a table, looking a little worse for wear."

    "Her clothes look rumpled, as though she slept in them. Even her bright pink hair doesn't seem to have its usual shine to it."

    "She watches me with sleepy eyes. A smile slowly forms, but somehow even that seems to take a certain amount of effort."

    "I can't help but wonder what she's been up to, since I don't remember her looking this tired even after the festival."

    hi "Are you okay?"

    mi "Mhmmm."

    "She stifles a yawn, and gently slides off the table in an attempt to appear more awake."

    "It's not exactly convincing, as even on her feet she steadies herself by leaning against the edge."

    "Most surprising, though, is her volume. I don't think I've ever heard her speak softly before."

    mi "What are you doing here so early, Hicchan?"

    "With a shrug, I gesture around us."

    hi "I got tired of doing homework, so I came here hoping to find Miki."

    "At the mention of her name, Misha straightens up and performs a perfunctory scan of the field."

    "Unable to find her classmate, she slumps back down against the table with resignation."

    hi "I already checked, I don't think she's out here after all."

    "With a sympathetic smile Misha shakes her head."

    mi "Maybe she's still sleeping."

    "She pauses and looks to the dorm building."

    mi "I wish I was."

    hi "How come you're out here then? I thought it was the track and field club's job to set up everything."

    mi "It's Shicchan's idea, she thinks the Student Council has to be rep…"

    mi "Rep…"

    "Misha loses the struggle for control and yawns in spectacular fashion. Unabashed, she stretches and some of her usual perk seems to find its way to the surface, forced out like the last bit of toothpaste in a nearly empty tube."

    mi "That we have to be represented at school events."

    mi "So in exchange for doing the announcements, I have to help set up the announcer's table."

    "The leap from simply being present to covering the announcements is a pretty big one, but then I remember we're talking about something Shizune arranged."

    hi "If this was her idea, shouldn't she be here with you?"

    mi "Shicchan's sleeping. We stayed up late last night finishing the festival reports, so she was beat!"

    "As if triggered by the memory, another yawn causes Misha's features to contort into an open-mouthed expression that puts me in mind of nature documentaries I saw years ago."

    hi "Uhm…"

    mi "What?"

    hi "Did you sleep at all?"

    mi "A bit, but if I don't do this, Shicchan would try it herself."

    hi "Somehow I can't imagine her doing the announcements."

    "She swats my arm, trying to look offended in spite of her giggling. I quickly raise my hands in surrender."

    mi "You know what I mean!"

    hi "Sorry, it just came to mind. She really is lucky to have you looking out for her."

    "Misha pushes herself off from the bare table, straightening up as she beams with pride."

    mi "Yep! Wanna help me get some chairs?"

    "Finally, something I can do. I have to restrain myself from jumping at the chance."

    hi "Might as well."

    "Misha gives me a weary but appreciative smile and leads the way to a little shed further down the field."

    #track shed

    "The shed sets itself apart from the other buildings on campus in more than just its size; it has nothing of the sterile levels of cleanliness that the rest of Yamaku boasts."

    "The drab walls make it look like a small bunker. The shed's slanted roof is made up of corrugated sheets of metal which look to have had their best days behind them already."

    "In contrast, the shiny padlock that keeps the door locked seems to have been added as an afterthought and only emphasizes the overall state of the little shed. The stocky little building doesn't look like it even belongs on this campus."

    "Maybe it's because of that, or because I'm with someone who doesn’t seem to be disabled at all, that it almost feels like I'm back at a normal school."

    "Misha disperses my nostalgia by producing a key to unlock the door, though it takes her a few tries to steady her hand enough for the key to slide in."

    "Leaving the lock to hang on the single loop on the door, she swings it open with a little more force than necessary. The door slams against the wall and with a soft thud the lock falls onto the ground. Misha gives it a dismissive wave and peers inside."

    "The only light shines in through the open frame and a few gaps where wall meets roof, revealing cones, hurdles and a wide range of balls. The folding chairs are stacked in a corner, so I ease my way past Misha to get them, knocking over a small plastic bottle on the ground."

    hi "How many do we need?"

    "She gives the chairs a hard stare, weighing the amount needed against the number she's willing to carry."

    mi "We only need a couple, two for the announcers, two more for the organizers, I think."

    "I don't know if it's enough, as it seems to be a low estimate for an event like this. I want to tell her as much, but one brief glance tells me that's not what she wants to hear."

    "We've only been here for maybe a minute or two, but already her body seems to be looking for something to lean against to keep herself from swaying. Defective though it may be, I still don't have the heart to just let her keep at it like this."

    "I look past her, to the world outside. The track and field club members are mostly done and don't particularly seem to miss either of us. Perfect."

    "With little effort I lift up two of the folded chairs. Misha is slow to respond and lazily reaches out to take them. When I hand her only one of the two, she blinks up at me in surprise."

    mi "I can carry more than that, you don't have to carry the rest."

    hi "Sure, but not before we take a break."

    "The chair folds out easily. Misha looks doubtful, glancing over to the announcer's table, but she can't bring herself to offer any protest. Still, it takes me sitting down for her to do the same."

    "Once seated, she finally relaxes, letting her shoulders slump a little. With the two of us hidden from view in this equipment shed, I can't help but feel like a kid again, hiding out in some secret base."

    "My thoughts find their way out in the form of a smile. It doesn't escape Misha's attention."

    mi "Whatcha thinking about?"

    hi "Huh?"

    mi "Don't play dumb! You were thinking about something, or you wouldn't be smiling like that!"

    "Her eyes narrow and she leans in conspiratorially, as if to keep the shed's supply of balls from overhearing."

    mi "Or are you thinking about {b}someone{/b}?"

    "She giggles with the confidence of a girl who's already made up her mind about the answer."

    hi "Not really-"

    mi "Don't lie to me, Hicchan!"

    hi "I wasn-"

    "She leans in even more, so that one of her thick curls now hangs over me like some kind of pink sword of Damocles. Her voice is as close to a whisper as she can manage."

    mi "You were thinking about Miki, right?"

    "I stammer out the beginnings of another protest, but Misha isn't having any of it. I shouldn't have told her I was looking for Miki."

    "At this point I might as well just go along with it. It's not like I haven't been thinking about her at all, and maybe I can put my mind at ease this way. I haven't exactly forgotten Suzu's concerns."

    hi "I was, but could you keep it to yourself?"

    "The girl beams, her fatigue all but forgotten as she rocks back and forth excitedly in her chair."

    mi "I can tell these things, you know! You're always going to the track together."

    "She clasps her hands together, barely containing herself. I lean away from her just in case she wants to hug me."

    mi "Oh you two make such a cute couple~!"

label en_M9a: #If player read M8a

    "I can feel my cheeks burn, and shake my head, hoping Misha won't notice."

    hi "It's not like that! We're not a couple."

    "It hurts a little to admit, but I ignore it as I don't want the conversation to go there. Her eyes soften with recognition, but for whatever reason she doesn't pursue it."

label en_M9b: #If player read M8b

    hi "We're just friends, nothing more."

    "Misha's deflates, her eyes searching for any hint of deception. Unconvinced, she leans back, crossing her arms defiantly."

    mi "I still say you look good together."

label en_M9c: #Paths merge

    "I glance at the field outside, where people are unaware of this conversation. Not wanting to make any further assumptions after being rebuked, Misha waits."

    hi "I…"

    "Misha perks up a little, but I don't know how to continue that sentence and fall silent again. Come on, it's not like I'm saying this to Miki herself."

    "Just to be sure, I inspect the doorway once again. No Miki. There's only Misha to disappoint."

    hi "I worry about how Miki will take it if she loses."

    hi "I mean, it's not like I think she's going to, but if it happens, I don't know how she'll respond. She's been training like crazy, at the expense of everything else."

    "Misha's expression doesn't betray any emotion. Either she's too tired to bother, or she's doing a great job of keeping an open mind. Regardless, it's a small comfort."

    hi "I can't help worrying about that, as much as I want her to win."

    "My confidant gives a slow and deliberate nod. She tilts her head and meets my gaze, holding it for longer than I'm comfortable with."

    mi "Why would you worry about that? All she has to do is win, right?"

    hi "You know it's not that easy. Even Suzu said Emi's won every single race they've had."

    mi "But Micchan trained like crazy, right?"

    hi "Yes, but-"

    mi "Then why worry? Micchan will be able to give it everything she's got, that's all that matters."

    hi "I don't think she'd agree. I don't think she'll react with a shrug, an 'Oh well!' and forget all about it. You don't train three times a day to settle for anything less than first place."

    "Misha furrows her eyebrows at me and lets out a sigh. Is she disappointed with me? It's not like I'm worrying over nothing here."

    "At least, that's the way I see it. Clearly this isn't something we agree on."

    mi "Then what do you suggest? Talk the other runners into letting her win? Maybe you should run instead of her, maybe that way you can win it all for her."

    "Her words have an uncharacteristic harshness to them, chiding me like she might a petulant child. I feel anger welling up inside me. Who is she to talk down to me like this? Besides which, I'm the one who's been by Miki's side this past week, not her."

    hi "Of course not! But Miki's-"

    mi "Micchan's a big girl. She doesn't need you fussing over her, and if she knew, I don't think she'd want you to, either."

    hi "I'm not..."

    "Misha doesn't do anything to interrupt me. She doesn't have to. Her tired amber eyes bore into mine until I forget what I was trying to say."

    mi "The best thing you can do is support her every step of the way."

    "Her tone has lost its edge, instead there's a barely perceptible warmth to them. The pink haired girl is staring at the space between us, her mind seemingly elsewhere."

    hi "How can you be so sure?"

    mi "Because I think I've been in your shoes."

    hi "What do you mean?"

    "She leans in again, another secret to be kept in this base."

    mi "You know, you probably don't know because you're still new, but the Student Council used to be a lot bigger."

    "Wait."

    "That's a secret?"

    hi "I'd never have guessed…"

    "My sarcasm doesn't make it past Misha's grin, as she's decided I was paying a compliment."

    mi "I know~! Shicchan and I work really hard to make sure everything gets done."

    "I give the tired girl a level look."

    hi "Yeah. Right."

    hi "How is that in any way similar to my situation with Miki?"

    mi "I'm getting to that! You see, it made Shicchan really sad to see the others leave one after another."

    mi "At one point I thought about quitting too, we were just doing so much work that it was overwhelming me."

    "I think I can see where this is going."

    hi "But obviously you didn't. Is that what you're saying?"

    mi "No. Well, yes, but that's not what I mean. Just listen, Hicchan!"

    mi "I didn't quit, but I did tell Shicchan that she was taking on too much work and that there's no way we could keep this up for much longer."

    hi "So that was you doubting Shich- Shizune, I mean?"

    "She nods with a sad smile. I get the feeling it's still a sore subject for her."

    mi "She didn't take it well at all. We got in a big fight, stopped meeting for the Student Council for a couple days."

    hi "But you made up, right?"

    mi "That's not the point. I'm her closest friend, so hearing it from me really hurt her."

    mi "I think your opinion is important to Micchan, too."

    hi "You think so? I've only been here for two weeks."

    mi "Well, you were out there helping her train, right?"

    hi "She asked me to, yes."

    mi "Why did she ask you, and not one of her friends from the track team?"

    "I don't have an answer to that, so Misha permits herself a knowing smirk."

    mi "Your opinion matters, Hicchan."

    hi "If you're right, that is."

    "Misha's smirk shifts into a scowl. She all but leaps up from her chair, knocking it over in the process."

    mi "Hicchan! I just know these things; it's called a woman's intuition!"

    hi "Alright, alright. You win. I'll do my best to cheer her on."

    "The pink haired girl beams, as she picks up her chair and collapses it. I follow her lead, collapsing my own chair and picking up some more to take back to the table."

    hi "Thanks for the talk, Misha."

    mi "Don't worry about it Hicchan! You're helping me out. This for that, you know?"

    hi "I think it's 'tit for tat'."

    "Misha sticks her tongue out at me, the corners of her mouth twisted in a devilish grin."

    mi "You're not getting {b}that{/b} from me."

    "She kicks the door open and for a moment I'm blinded by the rush of sunlight outlining her silhouette. I blink at the light, hoping it will somehow help my eyes adjust."

    "Outside, Misha tries to take one of the chairs to even out the load, but the very thought is enough for me to refuse. I have my pride, and it tells me these chairs aren't at all heavy."

    "With a giggle, she skips to catch up and walk beside me. From the corner of my eye I can see her curls bouncing with every step. It's only a small distraction compared to the sight ahead."

    "I spot her standing by the empty table, stretching her long tan legs. Her flowing hair drapes over the track as she bends down, reaching for the ground."

    "It's an image I've been looking forward to all morning. I don't mean that particular position, of course, but I have been wanting to see her."

    "Misha graciously relieves me of my chairs, giving me a look she might consider to be subtle. I’m just grateful Miki doesn't seem to have noticed us yet."

    mi "I've got to get the A/V club to set up the microphones, I'll be back!"

    "She starts off running, but quickly slows to a jog, and before long she's walking. I'm not here to watch her run, though, so I turn to the girl I came to see."

    "Alright, let the cheering begin."

    hi "Good morning!"

    "Miki's head jerks up to look at me, her eyebrows raised."

    mk "Hey cripple boy, what're you doing here so early?"

    "She straightens up, brushing her long hair out of her face with her fingers. I must have been staring, because she nudges my shoulder, letting out a chuckle."

    mk "Did ya come here just to see me warm up?"

    hi "Maybe. You're a better sight than next week's homework, at least."

    mk "You sweet talker, you're gonna make me blush."

    hi "It was close though, I was almost tempted by this formula I saw."

    "She punches my shoulder, but her staccato laughter drowns out the dull sensation."

    hi "By the way, I thought your events weren't until later in the day? Why the warm up?"

    mk "Same reason you came out here, I just felt like doing something other than sitting in my room waiting."

    mk "Might as well take my mind off things with a practice lap or two, right?"

    hi "You're going to take your mind off running… By running?"

    "I'm treated to her laugh again, suppressed quickly when Miki tries to scowl."

    mk "Shut up, smartass. This is just running, it's not competing."

    "We grin at each other as the conversation lulls. It's not a bad silence, but I feel a need to break it anyway."

    hi "Nervous about today?"

    "The half-second that precedes her reply is answer enough."

    mk "Nah, I've got this."

    "Better not push it. If this is what she needs to get herself in the right mindset, I won't ruin it for her."

    mk "The guys are up first though. They're such dorks; they made me promise to cheer them on."

    hi "I can't say I blame them, you've been cheering me on ever since we started running."

    mk "Well… I hate to break it to ya, but you're kind of a dork too, cripple boy."

    "I try to look offended, but the warmth in Miki's smile makes it sound like it's a good thing. Instead, I produce the stopwatch from my pocket. I can't tell if it surprises or impresses her."

    mk "You actually brought that thing? Why?"

    hi "I, uh- I thought it could be like a lucky charm or something."

    "I wince after hearing my voice say the words. Miki reaches out and I prepare myself for another of her friendly punches."

    "She doesn't hit me. Instead, she runs her fingers through my hair and messes it up, apparently delighted by my response."

    mk "I'm glad ya did, it's important to me."

    hi "That's why I-"

    "She closes my hand around the stopwatch and gently nudges it back down."

    mk "I wasn't talking about that."

    mk "This definitely proves you're a dork. Lucky stopwatches? Nobody actually believes that."

    hi "You said I'm lucky."

    mk "And you are, you're one lucky dork."

    "She smirks and winks in a way that leaves me agreeing wholeheartedly."

    "A white and green shape in my periphery catches my attention and I can see someone coming toward us with slow and deliberate steps."

    "Miki notices her as well and raises an eyebrow."

    su "Good morning."

    mk "What's up, Suzuki?"

    "Suzu winces at the sound of her last name, but doesn't let it slow her down."

    su "I came to talk. Do you have a minute?"

    mk "I'm kinda busy with Hisao here, and I've got my events to worry about after that. Can it wait?"

    "I'm not sure if I like being used as an excuse. Before I can object, however, Suzu looks at me and offers a reassuring smile. She then turns to her friend again, determined to have her say."

    su "Your events don't start until the afternoon."

    su "As for Hisao, he was there when this whole mess started, I don't mind him being here for this next bit as well."

    "Annoyed, Miki backs away from Suzu, looking like she's about to take off running."

    mk "You really want to continue this now? C'mon, I don't need this."

    su "I think you do. Will you hear me out? Please?"

    "Miki runs her hand through her hair, averting her gaze as she mulls over Suzu's request. Her eyes briefly meet mine, but we both know the decision is hers."

    mk "Not like you'd let me say 'no', is it?"

    "Suzu allows herself a brief smile."

    su "Not in this instance, no."

    mk "How about you, Hisao? Any objections?"

    "Once again I feel like a spectator and Miki has just broken the fourth wall. I don't want to involve myself any more than I already have at this point and shake my head."

    mk "Alright, shoot."

    "At first, Suzu's confidence wavers. She clears her throat and her lips move soundlessly, as if reciting a rehearsed speech. She catches Miki's stare and steels herself, forcing the words out."

    su "Okay… Well, ever since I started having to deal with my condition, I've tried to keep as much control as possible. I just feel safer when I can predict what will happen, even if I can't always predict the important things, like my next sleep attack."

    su "But I've come to realize that all that I shouldn't treat your goals like just one more sleep attack to predict.  I shouldn't have clung to that when I should have been supporting you instead."

    "Miki rubs her bandaged arm out of habit, frowning when she catches herself."

    su "I thought I was doing you a favor by behaving the way I did, but I realize now that all I did was lose you. What I really want to say is I'm sorry."

    "Her eyes are glued to Miki's feet, trying to avoid eye contact in this moment of weakness, as she abandons control."

    su "You're my friend, I realize now that matters way more to me than anything else. I'm sorry, Miki. I want to cheer you on. I want to be here to see you beat Emi."

    "Time stretches as the two girls watch each other in silence. A breeze makes Suzu shiver, prompting Miki to respond, her expression giving nothing away."

    mk "You know that now you definitely owe me a car, right?"

    su "What?"

    mk "A car. I know your dad can make it happen. I'll let you give it as a graduation present."

    "Miki's deadpan delivery causes Suzu to break into a smile, despite the girl's best efforts. The smile turns to laughter and the two girls embrace, Suzu for once not objecting to her friend's advances."

    "She blinks back a couple of tears and pulls away from the hug, looking up at Miki with a smile."

    su "You know you're only going to be disappointed when we graduate and you have to accept there's no car in it for you, right?"

    mk "That's fine."

    "She wraps her arm around Suzu's neck, pulling her closer still and finally getting her petite friend to struggle."

    mk "I'm used to it, I mean, how are ya supposed to cheer me on if you're not even wearing a cheerleader's outfit?"

    su "Miki! That's not funny, let me go!"

    "It looks like it's safe for me to remind them I'm still here."

    hi "Glad to see you two are back to normal."

    "For a moment they look surprised, and they quickly disengage, Miki feigning distance while Suzu pats down her skirt, her cheeks flushed."

    mk "Yea, well… Grudges suck."

    mk "Suzu, maybe you should head back for now and rest up. The guys are up first and I wouldn't want ya asleep for my turn."

    su "I was planning on it, yes. I just needed to take care of this first, since you left so quickly."

    hi "I'll save you a seat."

    su "Thanks, see you later."

    mk "Don't be late!"

    "Going in the opposite direction of the trickle of students and parents heading for the track, Suzu takes her leave."

    "Watching her friend deftly avoid the people around her, the change in Miki is nothing short of remarkable. She's standing a little straighter, and the smile curling her lips only emphasizes the confidence she exudes."

    "This is the Miki I came to see, and I can't wait."

    "The bleachers are slowly starting to fill up as male students warm up around us. The track meet is about to begin."

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