Miki Route 3-1: Truancy (Start of Act 3)

label en_M11

    #dorm exterior, morning

    #door squeaks open and shut

    "This morning looks promising, as yesterday's cloudy skies have parted leaving a clear spring morning. Suppressing a yawn, I head for the track."

    "The outside world is still wet; yesterday's rain has tinted everything a dreary shade, from the bricks of Yamaku's buildings to the path I'm walking on. I choose to side with the blue sky instead and try to ignore the mood."

    "A gentle breeze goes right through my running clothes and the sudden chill makes me shiver. The morning temperature is still something I haven't gotten used to and has managed to climb the ranks to become my number one annoyance."

    "It used to be in third place, but by now my second greatest annoyance has been eliminated, since I don't mind getting up this early anymore. I don't sleep as much as I used to anyway, which is probably a side effect from any one of the medications I'm on."

    "If I didn't have to take so many different kinds of medicine, I'd consider bringing the issue up with the nurse. As it is, it's not so big a deal that it's worth the hassle of figuring out which drug is causing it."

    "Still, even when I started -especially when I started- I had one even greater annoyance."

    "I didn't like having to realize how bad a shape I was in. It felt like I was starting from scratch, as if I'd never played sports in my life. If it wasn't for Miki being there to encourage me, I'd probably have given up."

    "So now I have to make sure to return the favor. At the very least I should do a better job than I did yesterday."

    "The rain started shortly after I made it back to my room. From there I could hear the rustling of drops hitting leaves outside my window, and hoped she at least made it back inside as well."

    "I texted Suzu about her, but when I didn't get an immediate response I tried to keep myself busy."

    "Homework was a poor distraction. It didn't keep me from checking my phone every couple minutes, just in case I'd missed Suzu's reply."

    "I hadn't."

    "I ended up needing most of the evening to finish up. Between my silent phone and uninteresting homework I tried hard not to think about the celebrations Miki and I should have been having."

    "Suzu and the others would probably be there too, of course."

    "It's no use dwelling on that sort of thing, though. There are still things to look forward to that belong to just us, like the morning runs."

    "Maybe focusing her attention on a novice like me will help distance herself from yesterday."

    "I quicken my pace, though not because of her. I want to warm up as soon as I can."

    #track

    "When I arrive at the track I'm feeling warm enough to keep from shivering, but I'm disappointed to find the area deserted."

    "All evidence of yesterday's track meet seems to have been cautiously removed. The bleachers are wet as if nobody sat on them. Misha's table looks to have been taken back inside and I can't help glancing at the shed further down the field."

    "It's as if the track meet didn't happen. It feels like a form of denial and the notion makes me question how best to broach the subject with Miki."

    "Or maybe I should let her bring it up if she wants to, and avoid putting my foot in my mouth as soon as she shows up."

    "I scan the track, just to see if I haven't missed anyone, but as if the absence of clicking legblades isn't enough, I confirm that Emi isn't here either."

    "She might be taking the day off to rest up from her runs. Even if she was competing against Miki, I have to say she was spectacular."

    "A kernel of guilt sinks in my stomach and I quickly look to see if Miki is on her way over yet. She isn't, but I decide to stop thinking about Emi's athletic prowess all the same."

    "Maybe Miki is skipping her morning run as well. I wouldn't blame her. According to my watch I don't have much time left before classes start, so I begin my warm-up."

    "I used to think it a pointless exercise, since I don't run particularly long distances, and no amount of stretches could save me if I tried to sprint, but I've had to acknowledge their use."

    "Standing around on the track was cooling me down, but the stretches warm me back up."

    "Miki still hasn't arrived by the time I finish the last one, so I decide to start without her. I don't want to gamble on Mutou running late as well. It's better to just get it over with so I'll make it to class in time."

    "Who knows, she might like seeing the commitment she inspired in me. I smile at the thought and begin my run."

    #classroom

    "Miki didn't show up for class either and I catch myself staring at the empty seat beside Suzu for the umpteenth time."

    "Even in her absence, she makes it hard for me to focus on Mutou's voice. He might as well be speaking in a different language. The rest of the class doesn't seem to understand or care and Suzu hasn't given anything away all day."

    #bell rings

    "The classroom empties with a speed and diligence that my classmates seem to have saved up all day."

    "Suzu glances at me and slowly puts her bag on the desk, taking her time to pack away her things one by one. I've learned to recognize this as an invitation and so I make my way over."

    hi "How is she?"

    su "Take a guess."

    "I can only grin sheepishly at her retort. Ask a stupid question, I suppose."

    hi "I didn't hear back from you, so I decided to wait for her at the track like usual."

    su "By the time I saw it, I didn't want to wake you without having anything new to report."

    hi "It's fine. Anyway, it didn't really occur to me that she might skip out. Didn't think she'd end up taking the entire day off though."

    "Suzu scoffs, sliding her pencil case into the bag."

    su "She can be a bit dramatic sometimes."

    hi "Did you manage to talk to her at all?"

    "She shakes her head, letting her cool demeanor slip for a second."

    su "No, I heard her come back, but she locked herself in her room. I'll try again when I get back."

    hi "I didn't think she'd take losing this hard. No wonder you were so worried before."

    "Suzu shrugs, looking away. Her fingers idly rub the straps on her bag."

    su "I didn't know this would happen. I don't even know why she's so upset about losing to Emi. There's no shame in losing to the fastest girl in this school."

    hi "I don't know. I think it might not have to do with Emi, I can't imagine Miki being that petty."

    "Suzu raises a skeptical eyebrow at my suggestion, but doesn't try to dispute it. She frowns at her watch and swings the bag over her shoulder as she gets up."

    su "I've got to go. I'll try to talk to Miki."

    hi "Do you want me to walk you back? I mean, since she isn't here to do it and all."

    su "That's okay, I've got to go by the nurse's station anyway, someone there can walk me the rest of the way."

    hi "Alright. Then could you let me know if she's feeling better?"

    "She smiles before leaving the classroom. After picking up my own bag, I walk past Miki's desk and it catches my eye once more. There's something wrong about the silence that's left. I push the thought out of my mind and leave."

    #track, morning

    "As I approach the track I hear the familiar sound of Emi's running blades."

    "I didn't have as much trouble waking up this morning, mostly because I didn't do much sleeping to begin with. Miki has been absent for the past two days and I'm starting to doubt if she'll be back to normal at all this week."

    "When I step out on the track, Emi gives me an excited wave and runs up to me."

    emi "Hey!"

    "I hesitate to reply. In some ways it feels like I'll be consorting with the enemy, but I try to suppress that thought as soon as it arises. It's not like Miki would care if I made small talk with Emi, just because she lost to her."

    "Even so I have to fight the urge to look over my shoulder."

    hi "Good morning, Emi. How are you?"

    emi "I'm fine, thanks. What's up with you though? You look surprised to see me."

    hi "Well, to be honest I thought that after Sunday you would take a break."

    hi "Oh, and congratulations on winning, by the way."

    "Emi smiles appreciatively and plants her hands on her hips."

    emi "Thanks! I did have a reputation to defend, after all."

    emi "Anyway, I run because I like it, so this doesn't feel like a chore at all. It's good to see you're still at it, though! I'm impressed!"

    "Her praise makes me grin. I know I'm running for my own sake and not to gain anyone's approval, but to have someone acknowledge that effort feels good."

    hi "Thanks, Miki's been a great coach. I don't think I'd have stuck with it without her."

    "Her smile fades and she pouts, giving me an unhealthy dose of puppy eyes. The gaze makes me regret what I said, though I'm not sure why."

    emi "Are you saying you wouldn't have stuck with it if I was your coach instead? You'd have ditched me?"

    hi "What? No! That's not what I meant, Emi."

    "She smirks briefly, before shaking her shoulders as she covers her face and pretends to sob."

    emi "You shouldn't break hearts, Hisao!"

    hi "I know, that's what got me here."

    "Emi's performance ends in giggles and she shakes her head."

    emi "I'm glad you're doing well and sticking to your schedule. But you can bet that if Miki let you slack off I'd kick her big butt!"

    "Laughing, Emi realizes what she said and pretends to swing a leg prosthetic. I double over as my laughter drowns out her staccato giggles, which she takes as an invitation to pretend to hit me with her imaginary leg. She doesn't stop until I raise my hands in surrender, gasping for air."

    emi "So how is she doing?"

    hi "I'm not sure. She stayed in her room the past two days, not even Suzu got her to open up. I'm hoping she'll come out to run with me, but I'm starting to think today is a wash as well."

    emi "That sucks."

    hi "Yeah… She seemed so confident about winning, especially after that first race."

    "Emi stares off at the track, remembering."

    emi "I was surprised she won. To be honest, I was cocky enough to think I'd win it all."

    hi "I think you need that kind of mentality to really give it your all."

    emi "Maybe. Maybe it made me overconfident."

    "I look out to the path to the track, but there's still no sign of her."

    hi "Well, I should do my run while I have time."

    "Emi gets up with me and quickly bounces onto the track."

    emi "Hey, if Miki isn't coming anyway, how about I run with you instead?"

    hi "You sure? Don't you have classes soon as well?"

    emi "Do you really think I need that much time to get ready? C'mon, let me see how much progress you've made!"

    "It's a request I can hardly ignore, so I quickly do my stretches and set off to show her just what I've been up to since the last time."

    #classroom

    #bell rings

    "The bell announces our lunch break and our teacher smoothly transitions from explaining English grammar to dismissing the class. Unfortunately she even finds time to assign homework before the students make their way out to the cafeteria."

    "She hands Suzu a copy of the packet to take to Miki at the end of the day. I stare at mine, but it looks like gibberish to me. With a frustrated sigh I fold the packet into my notebook and slide it into my bag."

    "Miki's absence is starting to worry me. I've considered talking to Mutou or even the Nurse about it, but I don't think they'd need me prompting them to do something about it, if they haven't already. Besides, the staff here value privacy even more than the students."

    "Case in point, Shizune has taken an interest in Miki's absence as well. She and Misha are hovering over Suzu's desk."

    "I don't need to move any closer to hear Misha's bubbly voice relay Shizune's questions."

    mi "Shizune wants to know why Miki is skipping class."

    "Suzu winces at the sound of her voice. She frowns and stares at Shizune for a moment. Then her eyes roll back and she slumps over her desk."

    "I've seen Suzu do that only once before, and quickly realize she's faking it to get out of the conversation."

    "The two girls are caught off guard by this development. Misha puts her hands on her hips, staring inquisitively at the sleeping girl. With a shrug she turns to go for lunch, but Shizune doesn't budge."

    "Misha tilts her head at Shizune, who smirks in return. She gestures for Misha to pay attention, then slowly moves her hand towards Suzu."

    "Closer."

    "Closer."

    "I crane my neck to see what Shizune is planning, but when her hand stops near Suzu's ear, I realize what she has in mind."

    "I wish I could warn Suzu to drop the act, but it's too late."

    #SNAP

    "Shizune snaps her fingers so loud that Suzu jolts up, covering her ear."

    su "Ow! What the hell?!"

    "Shizune scowls at her, showing no sign of pity or remorse. A gentle reminder why the Student Council seems perpetually understaffed. She signs off a flurry of gestures that Misha happily translates."

    mi "Wahaha~! That was very rude, Suzu! You shouldn't use your condition as an excuse to behave like an uncivilized oaf!"

    su "And you shouldn't be so eager to spread yours around. Hasn't Misha ever told you how loud your fingers are?"

    "Given Suzu's cool delivery it was clearly meant to be a taunt, but Misha's translation seems to cause Shizune to take it as a compliment. She smirks."

    mi "Then be a good student and tell me why Miki hasn't been showing up for class."

    "Misha pauses to sign to Shizune. The two exchange gestures, and Misha continues, ignoring Suzu's obvious confusion."

    mi "Losing a race is no reason for a girl who's supposed to be graduating this year to sulk in her room."

    "She stops translating as the last words sink in. She frowns and shakes her head at Shizune disapprovingly. Ignoring Shizune's reply, she leans in."

    mi "Is something wrong? Did she stay out in the rain and get sick?"

    "Misha's carefree smile and Shizune's scowl make the pair a natural good and bad cop duo, but maybe it would work better if the good cop didn't have to speak for both parts."

    "Suzu glares at Shizune, upset by her harsh tone and lack of sympathy for her best friend."

    "She takes a deep breath."

    su "Well, I'm not sure if I could tell you what is going on, I mean I haven't been able to talk to her and ifyouaskmeI'mnotsureit'ssuchabadthingforherto-"

    mi "Wait! Wait!"

    "Suzu ignores her, speeding up instead until she is talking faster than Misha can sign."

    su "forhertostayhomeacoupleofdaysImeanyouandIbothknoweverynowandthenwehaveanoffdaywherewe'dlikenothingmorethantostayinbedandleavetheoutsideworldforwhatitisdon'tyouknow?Wellofcourseyouknowyou'redeafsoyou'reusedtoblockingoutmostoftheworld-"

    "Misha starts waving her hands, trying to get Suzu's attention, but Suzu's eyes are locked on Shizune's. Her mouth is smiling slightly, but her eyes radiate something else entirely."

    "Shizune, for her part, has given up on Misha's signing and returns the stare with equal intensity."

    "butMikidoesn'thavethatluxurysomaybeyoushouldgiveherabreakandlethergetoverthisonherownyoupompousbi-"

    mi "SUZU!"

    "Misha's voice echoes in the empty classroom, Suzu winces again, but both girls stare at the usually cheerful translator in surprise."

    mi "I don't care what's going on with Miki, but I think that if she needs more time, that's fine. But you and Shicchan were both mean to each other and I want it to stop!"

    "Suzu swallows and allows herself to blink. Embarrassed, she looks away and mutters an apology. Misha nods, more to herself than in response, and signs at Shizune."

    "The Student Council president frowns at first, but when Misha insists with the same determination she showed Suzu, Shizune relents and throws her hands up in defeat. She signs a quick message and leaves the classroom at a brisk pace."

    mi "Shicchan says to make sure Miki keeps up with her homework. I hope she'll feel better soon, I'm sorry for the things she said."

    su "It's fine. I was out of line as well. Thanks for understanding."

    mi "That's better. See you!"

    "She quickly leaves, chasing after Shizune."

    hi "You alright?"

    "Suzu flinches, realizing just now that I'm still here."

    su "Yeah. But I'm not sorry, she had it coming."

    "Chuckling, I approach her desk."

    hi "Miki's still in her room?"

    su "Yep."

    hi "Any change?"

    su "Nope."

    hi "Want to go get some lunch with me?"

    "Suzu gives a weary sigh and slides off her chair to join me."

    su "I suppose."

    hi "What a relief, after the way you chewed out Shizune I wasn't sure you were hungry."

    "With a snort, Suzu shoves me gently."

    su "Her I can eat for breakfast. This is lunch."

    "She flashes a proud grin and leads the way."

    "Together we leave the classroom to find a place where we can eat. Thankfully the tension stays with the empty seats."

    #Hisao's bedroom, morning

    #alarm beeps, then is switched off

    "The first thing I see when I wake up is the stopwatch lying on my nightstand. At first I felt special for being entrusted with it, but lately it feels more like a burden."

    #wooden drawer sliding open

    "I open the drawer of my nightstand. It's empty, aside from the note my parents left me on my first day and my house keys."

    "I doubt Miki will want this thing back any time soon. I don't want to have it remind me of the track meet every time I see it either, so I slip it in the drawer on top of the note."

    #drawer slides shut

    "I get ready for my run, but as I get dressed I realize I'm not excited anymore. At least, not the way I was at the start of the week. Miki has skipped out enough that I don't expect her to be there today either."

    "It bothers me, even though I'd never ask her to force herself just for my sake. In any case, Emi warned me how easy it is to drop out of running altogether, so I'll borrow some of her determination and go by myself."

    "Maybe I'll get lucky and she will still be there, she seemed more than happy to run with me yesterday."

    #classroom, afternoon

    "Miki actually showed up for class today. Shizune seemed pleased with herself when she saw her come in, probably thinking her talk with Suzu inspired this change."

    "I'd hoped that coming back to class would mean she's moved on, but as soon as I saw her, I realized that wasn’t the case."

    "Miki seemed an entirely different person."

    "Usually Miki will lead the way, making sure nobody bumps into her friend, but today Suzu came in first, keeping a close eye on Miki instead."

    "Miki lingered at the door, as if hoping for a reason to go back to her room. She only sat down when Suzu called her over."

    "Oddly enough Miki meekly followed her friend's request. She didn't complain, or tease her. In fact, she hasn't spoken a word all day."

    "The teacher tried to call on her a few times this past hour, but Miki seemed to be staring off into space each time. After a few seconds she'd turn her head to face the teacher, but even then she remained silent. It was no different during our other classes."

    "Even when taking notes, her pen moves but the page stays blank. She's here physically, but her mind might as well be on a different planet."

    #bell rings

    "The bell is the first thing to draw an immediate response from her. Miki robotically shoves her notepad and pens into her bag and gets up. Suzu hurries to match the girl's speed and leaves the classroom with her."

    "Miki is paying just enough attention not to bump into anyone and doesn't seem to notice her friend joining her."

    "I watch them leave, once again finding myself the last person in the classroom aside from the teacher. Miki didn't notice me all day."