Miki Route 2-8: Saturday Swings

label en_M8

    #2-8. It begins.

    "Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine..."

    #Bell ring

    "There it is."

    "As soon as it rings, the sound of chairs sliding back and the chatter of students wells up around me."

    "The speed with which the people around me are packing their bags seems hardly surprising for a Saturday afternoon."

    "Mutou leans against his desk, the way he's done before. He scans the class and only closes his textbook when he realizes that none of us are likely to listen any further."

    "I can't tell if his tendency to be interrupted by the bells is because he's this passionate about teaching science, or if he's quixotically unwilling to stick to Yamaku's schedule."

    "It's not something I can give much thought; the bell announced more than just the end of class."

    "It's also the start of my afternoon with Miki."

    "I know she wants today to be a distraction from the track meet, but I haven't been able to come up with something to do."

    "I hope she won't mind hanging out in the park."

    "I glance over to my right where Miki is packing away her notepad."

    "Just as she gets up, pink and blue streaks dash past my desk and stop by hers."

    shi "…"

    mi "Shicchan says she's expecting great things from you tomorrow!"

    "Grinning, Miki replies with a shrug."

    "I get up to join the conversation, but stop when I notice I'm not the only one."

    "While Miki beams at the girls, some of the other students join in, crowding around her desk to wish her luck."

    "The only exception is Suzu. She's watching the scene unfold from her desk, lazily resting her head on her hand."

    "I was hoping the two would've talked things through last night, but it doesn't look like it. Suzu seems to be keeping a safe distance."

    "Our eyes meet and Suzu raises an eyebrow."

    "I nod my head at Miki."

    "Suzu shakes her head, once."

    "In turn, she looks from Miki, to me, and gives me a quizzical look."

    "I nod and offer her a smile, which she returns."

    "Behind Suzu, a nurse shows up at the doorway. Suzu sees me look and glances over her shoulder."

    "When she sees her, she gets up. She collects her bag and quietly makes her way outside."

    "With Suzu gone, my attention is drawn back to the girl I've made plans with."

    "Over everyone's chatter I can't make out what she's saying."

    "The only voice I can pick out is Misha's, drowning out all others when she speaks."

    mi "We'll be there tomorrow to cheer you on!"

    shi "..."

    "The rest of the students all chime in, promising to come watch."

    "I suppose that with a shot at beating the other classes, 3-3's support for Miki is at an all-time high."

    "She looks a little uncomfortable, as some of our classmates apparently praise her as if she'd already won."

    "I can't tell if they want Miki to win, or if they want a track meet winner in their class."

    "Suzu's words flash through my mind, leading me to wonder if these people will still be here to support Miki if she does lose to Emi."

    "Or maybe they'll settle for a second place trophy, even if Miki wouldn't."

    "What am I doing? I shouldn't be thinking about this kind of stuff, right before taking her out."

    "Miki edges away from her spotlight, trying to make her way out of the group."

    "I can see her looking for me, though the handful of students left seem eager to keep her attention."

    "At this rate we'll be here all afternoon."

    "I walk over to the door to wait for her."

    mk "Hisao!"

    "The small crowd parts just enough for Miki to join me."

    mk "I really have to get going, but please come watch me tomorrow! You guys are the best!"

    "The classmates cheer and Miki wisely uses the moment to step out into the hall, urging me to follow along as we hurry outside."

    #hallway

    "Miki glances over her shoulder as we walk down the halls."

    mk "I thought I'd never get out of there."

    hi "They're just supporting you."

    mk "I know, I know."

    hi "In any case, we have all afternoon to ourselves, are you ready to go?"

    mk "Yeah, not much point in getting changed, is there?"

    "She pauses."

    mk "Did you see where Suzu went off to? I was kind of expecting her to ask me to help her get back."

    hi "One of the nurses came by and picked her up, I guess you two haven't sorted things out yet?"

    "She frowns, clearly uncomfortable."

    mk "Not yet."

    hi "Better than 'no', at least."

    mk "..."

    "She nudges my shoulder."

    mk "So! Got anything planned?"

    hi "We could head for the park and stop by the store on the way? My treat."

    "She chuckles. Even if it was short term, maybe I should've planned something better."

    mk "Sure, my kind of picnic."

    "As we continue through the halls, Miki and I start discussing what flavor soda to get."

    #Road bg

    mk "I'm telling you, nothing beats cherry flavored cola, you have to try it!"

    "I didn't know people could be this obsessed with a single beverage."

    hi "Are you sure you can even get that around here? I don't think it's very popular."

    "She laughs and punches my shoulder playfully, though she held back so much that it barely feels like a tap."

    mk "Alright smartass, wanna bet?"

    hi "Bet what?"

    "Miki gazes up at the sky for an answer, then beams as she points at me."

    mk "How about… We bet if the store has it in stock?"

    hi "A store that mostly caters to the elderly? I'll take that bet."

    hi "But what's at stake? Food? Money? I'm not going to do your homework for you, if that's what you're planning."

    "My accusations are met with laughter and waved away."

    mk "Nah. How about… The loser has to answer one question truthfully?"

    hi "Just the one question? That's it?"

    mk "Yep! But of course the winner gets to pick the question."

    hi "And you're not going to ask me for something like my pin?"

    mk "Cross my heart-"

    mk "Err… Sorry, I mean- I promise, nothing like that. Just a single question."

    hi "One question… I guess I could think of a few things I'd like to know about you. You're on."

    "Looking pleased with herself, Miki strides ahead, eager to get to the store and settle this bet."

    "I try to keep up, but her pace is a little too brisk for me, even with all the running I've done I don't think I'll be able to keep this up until we get there."

    "She looks over her shoulder at me and for a moment I see a look of concern."

    "It bothers me more than I'd like to admit. I know I've got to deal with the limitations imposed by my weak heart, but I'm not {b}that{/b} weak."

    "Regardless, she slows down enough for us to walk side by side again."

    #Shop exterior

    "The store doesn't look any different from the last time we visited, it's already a familiar sight."

    "An elderly couple exits just as we enter the store."

    hi "See? There's not gonna be any of that cherry cola in there. We're in the wrong town for that stuff."

    hi "You can still back out of the bet if you want."

    "Miki ignores the offer, stepping into the store with an air of defiance instead."

    #Store interior

    hi "Where do they keep the soda again?"

    "Miki starts down one of the aisles and answers without slowing down."

    mk "This way, follow me!"

    "I catch up to her and as we approach the soft drinks aisle, I peek around to see if I can spot the drink that could cost me."

    "At this point I'm not even sure what I would prefer, to see the drink on display or to win."

    "What question would I even ask her? The whole 'truthful' part makes it tricky."

    "It's tempting to ask something personal, but I don't think that'd be appropriate-"

    mk "Found it!"

    "Miki's proud declaration interrupts my train of thought and is loud enough to catch even the cashier's attention."

    "She presents a can of cherry cola with an exaggerated flourish as if she were advertizing it."

    hi "Huh… I guess they do have it, then."

    mk "Yep! I told ya! Now you gotta pay up mister!"

    hi "What? I thought we were betting a question, I don't remember betting to pay for your drinks."

    "She laughs and thrusts the can at me, forcing me to take it."

    mk "Oh no, this isn't for the bet. You offered to treat me, remember?"

    hi "Is it a good idea to drink soda the day before the race though?"

    mk "It's just the one can, it won't matter."

    hi "Everything in moderation, hm?"

    mk "Yeah, pretty much."

    mk "Besides, now I've been looking forward to free food and drinks. You wouldn't want to disappoint me, would ya?"

    "A playful wink prevents any response from coming out and instead I shake my head, defeated."

    hi "Alright, alright. Let me go grab a basket."

    mk "A basket? We're not getting {b}that{/b} much, just hold out your hands and I'll pile it on."

    hi "I'm not sure I like the sound of that…"

    mk "Oh come on, we'll be done in a flash, suck it up."

    "With that, she grabs one more can and passes it on to me."

    "Satisfied that we have enough to drink, she heads over to the snacks and picks out some cookies that end up stacked on top of the drinks."

    "Next up is the fruits aisle where she picks out a container of grapes."

    "The stack of groceries now reaches high enough that I press down on the grapes with my chin to keep everything from falling."

    hi "Remind me, why didn't we get a basket, again?"

    mk "Because I think we've got everything we need. The cookies are yours, or d'ya want anything else instead?"

    mk "I'll go get it for ya, if ya do."

    hi "How generous, so the cookies are all mine?"

    mk "Almost all of them are, yeah."

    hi "Let me guess, you'll make sure I won't have too many?"

    mk "Got it in one!"

    "I wouldn't be surprised if these are her favorite, too."

    hi "I think we've got things covered then, I'll go pay for this."

    "Ignoring the tone, Miki hums to herself and follows me up to the counter, quickly putting the items down for the cashier to scan."

    "He puts down his newspaper and with an amused look he watches me dump the items on his counter."

    "While I'm paying, Miki wanders off and ends up looking at the modest selection of magazines offered by the store."

    "The cashier gives me a sympathetic smile as he rings up the items, packing them away in a plastic bag."

    "Grateful, I pay and take the bag, ready to leave the store."

    "I turn to find Miki leafing through a magazine."

    "A glance over her shoulder shows a large image of an American car. I'm not too familiar with them, but Miki seems impressed."

    hi "Plan on driving that someday?"

    "She looks up from the magazine to me and only puts it back on the shelf when she realizes I'm ready to go."

    mk "I wish. They're pretty rare out here. I'd always wanted to work on one of these though."

    "She sighs, but is quickly distracted when she sees the bag of snacks."

    mk "Want me to carry that?"

    "More sympathy."

    hi "It's okay. It's only my heart that's weak, not my arms."

    "I lift the bag as if it were a dumbbell to emphasize the point."

    "In response Miki frowns and crosses her arms."

    mk "Not everything's about your heart, cripple boy. I was just being nice."

    hi "What?"

    mk "I don't think you need me to do all the heavy lifting for ya."

    mk "But you did pay for all the stuff, so I thought it'd be fair if I carried it."

    hi "The thought never even crossed my mind."

    hi "Alright, have at it."

    "She smiles and takes the bag, giving the store one last look around."

    "I hold the door open for her and together we exit, heading straight for the park."

    #Park.

    "The park is practically empty, despite it being a Saturday afternoon."

    "True to her word, Miki is still carrying the bag, swinging it back and forth between us with every step."

    hi "Let's find a place where we can sit down."

    mk "Yeah, I have a pretty good idea of where we can go."

    hi "Oh? But what if I find us an even better place to sit?"

    mk "I doubt it, but you can try."

    "Was that a challenge? I keep my eyes peeled for a place that's sure to impress."

    "I spot a lone tree out on the grass that provides a perfect balance of sunlight and shade."

    hi "How about over there?"

    "She glances over at the tree and shakes her head."

    mk "Not a chance, keep trying."

    "We follow the path and come across a playground."

    "There's a slide, some swings, all painted in bright colors."

    "But without any children playing, the place somehow seems a little depressing to me."

    mk "Here we are!"

    hi "What? We're going to sit on the playground?"

    "She walks over to the swings and sets the bag on the ground before sitting down."

    mk "Cleaner than sitting on grass and more fun than a bench."

    hi "Aren't we a little old for that? What if some kids come by wanting to play?"

    "She gestures around us and I only now realize just how quiet it is."

    mk "Look around, there's nobody here."

    mk "Besides, I thought today was about having fun."

    "She pouts, but as soon as I give away any feelings of concern she laughs and motions for me to sit down."

    mk "Come on, have a seat. You and I both know how this will end, might as well skip the boring part."

    hi "Makes sense, I guess."

    "I stroll over and sit down next to her, though I can't help but check to make sure the swings will hold me."

    "I don't think they were designed with us in mind, after all."

    mk "It's not gonna break, Hisao. Sit down already."

    "My cheeks start to flush. It only makes her laugh as she passes me the bag."

    "I reach inside and help myself to a drink."

    #Park, swingsets cg

    "This is nice."

    "We swing gently, with a cool drink in our hands as we take in the warm sunlight."

    hi "So what's the question you wanted to ask me?"

    mk "Hm? Oh, that. I haven't decided yet."

    "She nudges my side with her elbow."

    mk "Anxious that I'll ask ya something embarrassing?"

    hi "Not really."

    hi "I think I already told you my most embarrassing memory anyway."

    "Miki chuckles as she thinks back."

    mk "I remember, a girl broke your heart by asking you out, right?"

    hi "When you say it like that it's as if I never wanted her to ask me out."

    "She gives me a sideways glance."

    mk "Really? You never once thought 'if only she hadn't asked me out, I'd never have had my heart attack'?"

    hi "I don't think it'd have mattered, the doctors told me I was lucky to live this long without incident."

    hi "If it hadn't been her, it would've been something else and I might not have survived at all."

    mk "So… You're grateful to her?"

    hi "I wouldn't go that far either. And besides, it wasn't fair to her. I wasn't fair to her."

    "I stare at the ground between my feet, slowly swinging from side to side."

    mk "Look, I'm sorry, if this is bugging you we can talk about something else."

    mk "I can tell you what happened to me, if you like."

    hi "With your hand, you mean?"

    hi "If you want, sure, but I thought today was about having a good time."

    hi "Should we really focus on the bad things that happened to us?"

    "Miki shrugs and takes a long sip from her drink."

    mk "Can't argue with that."

    mk "Alright, then what was life like before ya came here? To Yamaku, I mean."

    "I take a moment to gather my thoughts. It wasn't all that interesting."

    "Good or bad, I'm having a hard time picking out specifics about that time."

    hi "It wasn't anything special. My parents worked a lot, so I spent a lot of time after classes with my friends."

    hi "I'd only really see them in the mornings and sometimes at night if I still was up."

    mk "Sounds lonely."

    "I shrug, offering her a smile."

    hi "It's alright, Like I said, most times I'd hang out with my friends."

    hi "It was… Nice."

    hi "And if I felt lonely at night I'd sometimes go for a walk."

    hi "How about you then?"

    mk "My dad owns a small garage, I spent most of my time there."

    mk "All of us did, except for mom. She works in some office."

    hi "Who's 'all of us'?"

    mk "Me 'n' my brothers, of course. All four of us grew up around cars."

    hi "Your dad had you work with him?"

    mk "Yeah!"

    mk "Of course if anybody asked he was just teaching us."

    "She sees the look on my face and quickly continues as if reading my mind."

    mk "Funny how people seem to think us having fun with dad was child labor."

    mk "Still, I knew each of my dad's tools before I could read."

    "She puffs out her chest as she says it, beaming with pride."

    hi "Must be pretty convenient to have that kind of knowledge."

    "Miki finishes her drink and sighs."

    mk "Sure is."

    "Okay… That seems like it's a sore topic."

    hi "Did you do anything else besides learning about cars?"

    "She looks up and thinks, long enough to make me think she didn't."

    mk "Videogames... Oh! Sometimes on weekends we'd all go out to the park and play soccer."

    hi "Really? I used to play soccer too."

    mk "Used to?"

    "I point at my chest."

    hi "Yeah, it's not exactly a good idea to take it up again."

    mk "Do you miss it?"

    "I finish my drink and rest my arms on my lap, denting the empty can with my thumbs."

    hi "Not really, looking back I only really played because my friends did."

    "She considers this and puts her empty can down on the ground."

    mk "I guess that's how I started off too, I only played 'cuz my brothers and dad did."

    hi "Do you still play?"

    mk "Sometimes, it makes me feel nostalgic."

    mk "The only difference is if anyone asks me to be goalie I'll punch 'em in the nose."

    "I can't help but laugh and Miki is quick to join in."

    "Her laugh is so infectious."

    hi "Do you get that often?"

    mk "Sometimes, teasing is a way of coping for some people. I just tease them back."

    hi "And that's okay? I still worry about how I should talk to people, if I should ignore their disability or not."

    mk "I understand. Hell, I still screw up sometimes."

    mk "But people here have enough common sense to know we're not trying to offend."

    hi "I guess. I just don't want to make an ass of myself."

    mk "Stick around me then, at least you won't be the only one making yourself look like an idiot up there."

    "She chuckles, her laugh compelling me to join in."

    "But after a few moments the playground is once again as quiet as the rest of the park."

    "It's a comfortable silence. Sitting next to her, I feel this is how we could spend the rest of the day together."

    mk "Hisao?"

    hi "Yes?"

    mk "For what it's worth, I think you're fine so long as you're being yourself."

    hi "Really? That's a relief."

    #Jab sound effect

    "I flash her a smile that she returns as she playfully jabs my side."

    #Tin drop sound effect

    "It's so sudden that I drop the empty tin."

    "I instinctively swing away from her in a futile attempt to get out of her range."

    hi "Hey!"

    "She laughs, her eyes trained on me."

    mk "Y'know the proper response would've been something like 'You too!'!"

    hi "Really? Well, I don't know if that applies to someone who just hit me."

    "I laugh, but the look she gives me shuts me up."

    "As if on cue, she gets up from the swings."

    mk "Alright! I made up my mind, I know what I wanna ask you."

    hi "Already?"

    mk "Yes, so don't try to weasel out of this one!"

    "Feeling a mix of curiosity and dread, I nod my head."

    hi "Okay, let's hear it."

    mk "Tell me what you think of me."

    hi "That's not a question!"

    mk "What'd I tell ya about trying to weasel out of this?"

    hi "I'm not, it's just that I promised to answer a {i}question{/i} truthfully, not obey your orders."

    "Miki groans and pinches the bridge of her nose, as her cheeks begin to flush."

    mk "Fine…"

    "Blushing, she grits her teeth, forcing out the question."

     mk "What do you think of me?"

    "She's straining to pretend the answer doesn't matter."

    "Her eyes remain fixed on me."

label en_choiceM8

    menu:

        with menueffect

    "I don't think she'll allow me to dodge the question."

    "Be truthful."
return m1

    "Be evasive."
return m2

label en_M8a

    hi "Well…"

    "How do I say this without sounding weird?"

    "Her watching me like that isn't helping much."

    hi "I'd say you're easy to like."

    "She frowns and crosses her arms dramatically, acting offended."

    mk "You'd better not mean I'm easy!"

    hi "What? No, not at all! I just meant-"

    #Jab

    hi "Hey!"

    "She laughs as I rub my side, feigning injury."

    "I almost fail to notice her cheeks reddening even more."

    mk "What did ya mean then, hm?"

    "I can feel my face grow hotter as she stares at me expectantly."

    "Thankfully she can't keep it up for long and bursts out laughing before I can try to answer."

    mk "I'm just messin' with ya, cripple boy. Relax."

    mk "I know what ya meant."

    mk "You're pretty easy to like, too."

    hi "I am?"

    mk "Yeah, it's not like I'd bother to help you with your running if I thought you weren't at least interesting."

    hi "I can't really see how I wouldn't have been boring to you, though."

    mk "You kiddin'? Mysterious stranger transfers in out of nowhere, doesn't seem to have anything wrong with 'em. It gets people talking."

    hi "Is that why you offered to help me out? To find out what was wrong with me?"

    "She gives me a severe look that lasts for only the briefest of moments, but long enough to tell me I'm wrong."

    mk "I already told you, it's not always about your heart, cripple boy."

    mk "You just had a way of making people curious about you, since you didn't really talk to anyone 'cept for the student council twins."

    "Embarassed, I try to laugh it off."

    hi "I didn't actually try to be distant, or mysterious, for that matter..."

    mk "No, I know. In some ways you kind of reminded me of myself when I first got here."

    mk "It took me a while before I started trying to make friends here, since at first I thought I wouldn't be here for long."

    hi "Or that you'd just wake up one day and be completely fine."

    "Her faint smile makes me wonder if she still thinks that way."

    "She reaches into the bag and takes out the box of cookies, which she wordlessly offers to me."

    #Timeskip to dusk

    "Time flies as we talk about anything, from old rpg's we both played as kids, to favorite movies."

    "The more we talk, the more I want to tell her."

    "Likewise, Miki laughed more in one afternoon than I've seen her do all week."

    "When we finally notice the sun beginning to set, I can tell I'm not the only one sad to see the day come to an end."

    "Carrying what's left of the cookies in the plastic bag, we decide to return to Yamaku."

    "This time I offer to carry it, which Miki gracefully accepts."

    "When she hands me the bag, our fingers brush against each other."

    "Our eyes meet and for a moment I consider holding her hand as well."

    "In that moment it feels like her fingers are seeking mine out deliberately, but then Miki pulls back, leaving me holding the bag."

    mk "We'd better go, I'm starting to get hungry."

    hi "Yeah… Me too."

    "Disappointed, I begin the walk uphill with her."

    "Maybe next time."

return

label en_M8b

    "I'm not sure what to say, but I think I should play it safe."

    hi "I like people like you."

    "She frowns, not sure what to make of my reply."

    mk "What d'ya mean?"

    hi "Well, you know… You're hard working, sincere, have a good sense of humor. You're a good friend to have."

    "Miki deflates somewhat and offers a smile."

    mk "Yeah, you bet. You're not a bad friend yourself."

    hi "Thanks, I'm glad you think so."

    hi "I didn't think I'd make friends this easily at Yamaku."

    mk "What makes you say that?"

    hi "I didn't exactly come here in the best of mindsets."

    hi "Coming here felt like a step back, as if I was giving up on a normal life and leaving all that behind."

    mk "It's hard to come to accept that, to leave your friends behind."

    hi "Oh, that was less of an issue, they'd stopped coming to the hospital for months before I transfered into Yamaku."

    mk "Really? Did you ever find out why?"

    hi "No, I guess seeing me in a hospital all the time freaked them out or something."

    mk "I guess..."

    mk "At least you've got new friends now, right?"

    hi "Right."

    "I flash her a smile and reach into the bag for another cookie."

    "Somehow eating them with her makes them taste better."

    #Timeskip to dusk

    "We spend the rest of the afternoon talking about anything that comes to mind, mainly about food, movies (she doesn't seem very interested in books) and dealing with school."

    "Miki makes it pretty clear that classes just get in the way of her plans."

    "When the bubble formed by our idle chatter inevitably bursts and we notice the day coming to an end, we reluctantly leave the park."

    "Carrying half a pack of cookies in the plastic bag, Miki takes the lead like she has done all day, setting the pace for our walk uphill."

return