Miki Route 2-4: Running/Mouth

label en_M4:

    #Thursday scene. Starting at the track since there's really not much new to Hisao's room.

    "I feel a little chilly as I walk down to the track. The morning sun's not yet strong enough to counter the cool breeze."

    "At least when I start running I should warm up pretty quickly."

    "When I get to the track, I see Emi is still there, running laps."

    "Miki hasn't shown up yet, but if I just stand here I'll get cold, so I get started on warming up."

    #sound of Emi approaching

    emi "Good morning!"

    "The spunky sprinter looks delighted to have some company. I guess she still hasn't found someone else to run with."

    hi "Good morning, how's your workout going?"

    emi "Pretty good. It feels great to run this early, doesn't it?"

    hi "Once you get past the cold, definitely."

    "She laughs and nods in agreement. Compared to Miki, she seems so carefree."

    hi "Can I ask you something?"

    emi "Shoot."

    hi "Aren't you nervous about the track meet?"

    "She ponders this for a moment, looking up at the sky."

    emi "Not really, I guess. I know it's a big deal, but I'm pretty confident I'll win."

    hi "Miki's been training a lot though, what if she beats you?"

    emi "It's not like I haven't improved since the last time I beat her."

    "She tries to sound confident, but something about the way she said it suggests she's putting up a brave front."

    "Before I can respond, I hear the familiar sound of footsteps approaching us from behind, as if the simple mention of Miki's name brought her here."

    "I turn and wave to her, but her eyes seem fixed on Emi and she ignores the gesture."

    emi "Speak of the devil…"

    hi "Good morning, sleep well?"

    mk "Slept fine. You ready to run?"

    emi "I'm not done yet, can't you guys wait?"

    mk "No way, you know the deal. Besides, judging by the way you look, you already got plenty of exercise."

    emi "Oh come on! Just a little longer, fifteen minutes?"

    mk "Not happening, if I start much later I'll barely have time to get to class."

    "It's odd that she suddenly cares about making it to class on time."

    emi "No fair, you're not the only one who wants to be at their best for the track meet!"

    mk "Oh? You saying you need to be at your best to win?"

    emi "Don't flatter yourself. I could beat you right now!"

    "This is bad. If it keeps up, they really are going to race."

    "If their races really are so intense that they have to keep separate training times, I'd better do something."

    mk "You wanna try it?"

    emi "If I win, I get the track for another half hour!"

    mk "What?! You said fifteen minutes before!"

    hi "Guys?"

    emi "Scared you'll lose? If you back down I'll just run for fifteen minutes instead."

    hi "Let's not do this, the day's only just started."

    mk "You little-!"

label en_choiceM4:
menu:
    with menueffect

    "They seem completely fixated on each other. I'm not sure if I should keep trying, or just give up and do what I came here for."

    "Ignore them and start my routine.":
        return m1 #jump to M4b

    "Try again.":
        return m2 #continue to M4a

label en_M4a:

    #Try again

    "It's too soon to just give up. I have to try again."

    "No matter what, I can't think of anything other than the track meet to talk about."

    "Maybe if I bring up something that can't be competed over…"

    hi "So, is anyone else I know going to be at the track meet?"

    "The two girls pause in the heat of their duel, meeting my question with looks of mild curiosity. At least I managed to catch them off guard."

    emi "Um… do you mean running, or watching?"

    hi "Watching. I just realized I don't have anyone to sit with while I'm there."

    "Now that I think about it, that's not exactly wrong, either; I guess I was just planning on sitting alone in the stands for the day."

    emi "Well, my mom's going to be there, but that doesn't really help for people you know… Let me think…"

    emi "Oh! Rin should be coming to watch, so maybe you'll run into her there too."

    "For some reason, I'm not particularly enticed by the idea of sitting next to Rin for a few hours straight."

    hi "How about you, Miki?"

    mk "I invited Suzu to come, but apparently she's got some literature club event going on this weekend."

    mk "And you already know about my parents…"

    "Miki's eyes narrow a bit as she says it. Crap, I'd forgotten her family can't make it. So much for this not being a competitive topic."

    emi "What, are they not coming to the meet?"

    "… and Emi seizes the opportunity."

    mk "Nah, it's just too far for them to come out for."

    emi "For them to miss the biggest meet this year? It must be a long ways away for them to skip something like that."

    mk "Don't starting acting all high and mighty, you said your dad isn't going to be there either."

    mk "What reason does he have to skip it? The meet is on a Sunday, it's not like he'd have to work or something."

    "Emi slowly turns to Miki, staring at her with incredulity. Just like that, all her confidence has vanished and I can't help but think how frail she looks."

    emi "He… just can't make it."

    "It's clearly a sensitive subject to her. Though she'd be too proud to actually say the words, her body language seems to implore Miki to drop the subject."

    "I wish I hadn't brought it up to begin with, Emi looks like she's only barely keeping her composure."

    mk "Ah well, I guess we'll both be missing some of our folks then."

    "An inaudible sigh of relief escapes my throat. I should've known Miki would be compassionate, even to her rival."

    #Miki grin

    mk "At least this way if you do lose, he won't have'ta see it, right?"

    "Emi's trembling. Her eyes are fixed on the ground between her and Miki and she's trembling."

    "I don't think it's from the cold."

    emi "Shut up."

    "She hisses the command, refusing to look at either of us."

    mk "What?"

    "Emi's eyes meet Miki's once more, but what frailty I saw before has disappeared."

    emi "Shut the hell up!"

    emi "You have no idea what you're talking about so shut up!"

    "Even Miki seems surprised by Emi's outburst. For all their rivalry I don't think either of them had actually been angry with each other before."

    "Her smile fades, and she looks genuinely remorseful."

    mk "Emi, I'm sorry. I don't know what's up with you and your dad, but I had no right-{w=.4}{nw}"

    emi "Shut up! Don't you ever mention him again!"

    "With that, she turns away from the track, tears welling up in her eyes."

    "Her hands clench into tiny fists as she takes off running towards the dorms, getting away from us as fast as she can."

    "All Miki and I can do is watch her, unable to speak."

    "When Emi is out of sight, Miki clears her throat."

    mk "I feel like such an ass."

    "Her voice sounds subdued, as if she's worried Emi might somehow still overhear."

    "Since I brought it up, I can't help feeling responsible as well."

    hi "I'm sure she knows you didn't mean any harm."

    mk "You think so? Didn't look like it to me."

    hi "It's obviously a sensitive subject to her. It's not like you could've known ahead of time."

    mk "Still…"

    "An uncomfortable silence falls over the two of us once more, the dust still settling from Emi's outburst."

    hi "You know, I'm starting to think she's just as hotheaded as you…"

    "She gives me a sideways glance, crossing her arms defiantly."

    mk "What? I'm not hotheaded!"

    hi "Really now?"

    "I can't hide my grin from her as she realizes she just proved herself wrong."

    mk "Whatever! Enough talk. Start running, I'll catch up when I've stretched."

    "She turns her back to me and begins stretching her long legs."

    "Aware that I haven't left yet, she waves her hand at me, shooing me away."

    "I would have preferred to wait for her to finish, but instead I begin my first lap around the track."

    "Compared to Miki, I run at a pathetically slow speed. My only consolation is that this first lap doesn't feel like as much of a struggle as before."

    "After half a lap, my legs feel like they no longer feel any resistance. It's enough to make me feel euphoric."

    "When I round the corner, Miki is waiting for me on the track. For a moment it's as if we're participating in a relay."

    "She starts to jog down the track, when I pass her by she immediately speeds up and starts running alongside me."

    mk "You seem to be doing a lot better already!"

    "It feels weird. The first time we ran I was barely able to breathe a response when she talked to me."

    "Now I almost feel like I can reply in full sentences."

    hi "Yeah."

    hi "Practice."

    hi "Right?"

    "That doesn't mean I should take the risk of trying to find out."

    mk "Right!"

    "She beams at me and accelerates just enough to start pulling ahead of me."

    "Feeling confident, I start running faster as well, but only enough to catch up."

    mk "Think you can keep going like this?"

    "There's something encouraging in the way she looks at me. Even if I couldn't manage it, I don't think I'd want to let her down."

    hi "Yeah."

    "I'm starting to pant as I lose control of my breathing. Miki seems to notice and refrains from asking any other questions."

    mk "Y'know, at the track meet I'll be running a bunch of events."

    "I can't respond, other than to try to make eye contact with her."

    mk "First off is the 400 meter sprint, that's what you've been helping with after class. Then there's the 200 meter and 100 meter sprints, and after that a relay race."

    "Four races? I'm amazed she has the drive to compete in so many events."

    "I take in as deep a breath as my current state allows and force out the question that's on my mind."

    hi "Why…"

    hi "…somany?"

    "Miki is surprised by the question. She looks at me in a way that makes me hope I won't have to repeat it."

    mk "There's not a lot of students here that run competitively, so there's plenty of spots."

    mk "That was all the reason Emi needed to sign up for them, anyway."

    "I didn't think Miki was so competitive that she would sign up for every event Emi was running in."

    "I prepare myself for another question as we go into the first corner of our third lap. My legs are starting to wear out, but I force myself to ignore it."

    hi "Youreally…"

    hi "…wannabeatEmi…"

    hi "…thatmuch?"

    "She laughs and shakes her head."

    mk "No, I'm not {b}that{/b} childish. I just don't want to give her the excuse of running in more events than me."

    "I see. She wants it to be a fair match."

    "My lungs feel hot and it's getting harder to ignore the feeling in my legs. I don't want to push too hard so I drop back to my old pace."

    mk "Tired, huh? Let's do half a lap more. That should be enough for you for today."

    "I let out a groan and keep running, keeping the goal in mind."

    "Just a quarter of a lap to go, I'm nearly done."

    "My legs are sore, protesting every step I take. I clench my jaw and force my way forward."

    "The air somehow feels thicker, almost like I'm pushing through invisible jelly."

    mk "You did it!"

    "Miki's voice surprises me so much I stop running immediately. I look around and see she's right."

    "I smile, weakly at first, but as Miki walks up to me I feel the smile growing wider until I'm beaming at her."

    mk "Good job!"

    "Miki looks delighted, as if she's even more proud of my achievement than I am. Since she's been the one to coach me, maybe she really is."

    "I try to steady my breathing, but now that I'm standing still I can feel my pulse again."

    "My erratic pulse."

    "This can't be happening, not now. Not when I was just moving forward again."

    "My heart is racing and for a moment I feel as if I might have another incident."

    "I close my eyes and focus on breathing, wishing for my pulse to return to normal."

    mk "Hisao?"

    "The sound of Miki's footsteps drawing near only makes it worse. I already made her worry the first time."

    "I don't want that to happen again."

    "Deep breaths. Calm down, I'm not having an actual heart attack, I can keep that from happening."

    "I just have to calm down."

    "A hand is gently placed on my shoulder."

    mk "It's okay…"

    "Miki's voice wavers. I'm not sure which of us she's trying to reassure."

    mk "You're not alone, this time I'm right here with you."

    "I can feel her grip tighten on my shoulder as if to emphasize her presence."

    mk "You're gonna be fine, just breathe."

    mk "You wouldn't still be standing if you were having a heart attack."

    "I slowly nod. My breathing has recovered enough to talk, but I'm fixated on my own pulse."

    "As my heart slowly falls back into tempo, I crack my eyes open, giving them time to readjust to the morning light."

    "Miki's hand slides off my shoulder again, her fingertips tracing my arm."

    mk "Are you feeling better?"

    "My heartbeat has slowed a bit. I think that was the worst of it."

    hi "Yeah… I think so."

    hi "Thanks… for, you know… for being here."

    "Miki smiles sweetly and grabs hold of my wrist."

    mk "We gotta stick together, right? C'mon, I'll walk ya to the nurse's office."

    "Without a word, the two of us make our way towards Yamaku's nurse's station."

    hi "Miki?"

    mk "Yeah?"

    hi "Why did you talk to me like that just now?"

    mk "Uhm… I think…"

    "Miki hesitates to respond for a moment, avoiding my stare."

    mk "I'm pretty sure I remembered seeing something like that on TV."

    "It sounds like a bad lie, but I'm in no mood to call her out on it."

    hi "Really? Good thing you remembered, then."

    mk "I guess you're just lucky to have me around, haha."

    hi "You might be right, there. Thanks… you know, for being there."

    "She grins and squeezes my wrist."

    mk "I wouldn't want my one and only pupil to die on me, now would I?"

    hi "I'm your pupil now?"

    mk "Yep, you can call me 'master' if you'd like."

    hi "Like hell."

    mk "How about 'coach' then?"

    "Miki laughs and I find myself joining in as we approach the auxiliary building. Something crosses my mind that makes me stop."

    hi "What would you have done if I really did have a heart attack back there?"

    mk "The only thing I could've done, get one of the nurses."

    hi "Ugh…"

    mk "What? Were you hoping I'd perform CPR on you or something?"

    hi "No it's not that. I just realized the nurse is going to chew me out for letting this happen again."

    "Miki chuckles and opens the door to let me in."

    mk "Probably, but it could be worse."

    mk "You stopped when you realized you were pushing yourself too hard. That counts for something, right?"

    hi "I hope so. It's too early for a lecture."

    "Together, we enter the building and make our way to the nurse's office."
    #jump to M4c

label en_M4b:

    #Start running

    "I don't think interfering is going to make things any better."

    emi "… you really that scared I'll beat you at the track meet? Hahaha!"

    mk "If you're so confident, why're you out here training so hard every morning?"

    "It's too early for this kind of thing."

    emi "Please! I'm not training for the track meet, this is just to stay in shape. Come to think of it, you could stand to run a little more."

    "Oh no, it's only getting worse. I slowly start backing away from the two, hoping they won't drag me into this."

    mk "Who're you kidding? Besides, maybe if you ran a little less people would stop thinking you're only twelve."

    "I leave the two girls to argue and start running."

    "Though I only manage a couple of steps before I feel two pairs of angry eyes boring into my back."

    emi "At least Hisao there seems to have the right idea."

    emi "Go train, Miura. Lord knows you need to."

    mk "Oh shut it already, you midget."

    "After that I can't hear either of them. I don't know if they have nothing left to say or if I'm simply too far away to hear it, but I know better than to look over my shoulder and find out."

    "Just as I round the first corner I hear footsteps behind me as Miki catches up with ease."

    "I glance at her from the corner of my eye. Her expression is serious, focusing only on what lies ahead."

    "It reminds me a little of when she's training, but unlike those times, there is a hint of anger in her eyes, rather than concentration."

    "We run a whole lap in silence. Even if my breathing wasn't affected I don't think I'd risk starting up a conversation with her now."

    "Unlike the other times, Miki doesn't seem interested in motivating me by talking, either."

    "As we finish our second lap, I can barely notice the oppressive silence. The air I suck in is exhaled even faster."

    "My legs are feeling heavier with every step I take. Now that I only have my running to focus on, I'm more aware of my heartbeat."

    "The more this exercise wears me out, the more I worry about my pulse. It's making me nervous."

    "I slow down, not wanting to push my luck."

    mk "Tired already?"

    "I nod, feeling a little relieved that she's acknowledging me again."

    mk "Come on, we'll run one more lap. You should be able to handle that much by now."

    "That's easy for her to say. I don't feel nearly as confident about my stamina as she seems to."

    "Despite my doubts, I don't seem to slow down. I'm not sure why. Am I just eager to meet her expectations?"

    "I try to catch up to Miki, but she stays just ahead of me. Normally she would slow down to match my speed. It's a little unsettling."

    "With only half a lap to go, running has become a conscious effort."

    "I'm willing myself to make every step. My throat feels so dry that I feel like throwing up."

    "As a result, my breathing has become even more shallow than it already was, while my heart is pounding in my chest."

    "My heart."

    "The realization hits me and I force myself to stop immediately."

    "My limbs feel weak, every breath making me feel like a balloon being inflated and deflated in rapid succession."

    "My heart feels like it's going to burst through my ribs. As I close my eyes, I can see the blurred shape of Miki turning around a little further along the track."

    "Please, don't let this happen again."

    "I try to focus on restoring my breathing to normal but all I can hear is my own heartbeat."

    "It's deafening."

    "Then, the sound of my heartbeat seems to fade just enough to allow for me to hear something else."

    mk "…to get a nurse?"

    "I can't look at her, I can't respond to her. I need to focus. I have to…"

    "My thoughts escape me as two arms and one hand gently push me down and force me to sit down on the track."

    mk "I'm so sorry, Hisao. Please be okay…"

    "She sounds scared. I want to reassure her, but I'm scared too."

    "My breathing has finally calmed enough that I can breathe through my nose again. That should be a good sign."

    "I massage my own chest, in some futile attempt to steady my pulse."

    "Why did I follow through, when I knew what would happen?"

    "Why aren't I more aware of my limits?"

    "The only answer is silence. I feel like my heart's given me another chance, even if it's stupid to think of it that way."

    "I open my eyes, letting them adjust to the sunlight."

    "Miki's legs fade into view. She's sitting next to me."

    hi "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that."

    mk "What're you talking about, you idiot? I'm the one who pushed you like this."

    mk "It's my fault."

    mk "It's all my fault."

    "I finally see her face. I barely recognize her for the expression she's wearing."

    "She looks like she's about to cry. I don't think I've ever seen her look this remorseful before."

    "I reach out to her, but I don't know why. Not sure how to follow through with the gesture, I end up putting my hand on her shoulder."

    hi "You didn't push me, I should have known better and stopped as soon as I felt like I'd reached my limit."

    hi "I think maybe I was just too eager to make progress."

    "Miki stares at the ground, I'm not sure if she believes me. She then shrugs my hand off her shoulder and gets up."

    mk "Maybe. I'm not letting you take any more chances though."

    mk "You and I are going to the nurse's office, right now."

    "I nod and get up as well."

    "Together we make our way over, Miki keeping a watchful eye on me the entire way."

    #continue to M4c

label en_M4c:

    #Hallway outside nurse's office

    "It doesn't take long before we reach the nurse's office once again."

    "As friendly as he is, I don't really like having to see him like this."

    "Still, I don't have much choice in the matter."

    "I glance over at Miki, consoled by the fact that at least she's here with me. Even if she'll be waiting out in the hall, it's comforting to know she cares enough to come this far."

    "With a deep breath, I reach out and knock on the door."

    #If Hisao chose to intervene, continue to M4d

    #If Hisao ignored the fight, skip to M4e

label en_M4d:

    nk "Come in."

    "His voice is oddly cheerful, as if expecting a social visit, rather than a medical one."

    "I look over to Miki, who moves to lean against the wall."

    mk "Go ahead, I'll wait 'til you're done."

    hi "You don't have to do that."

    mk "It's as good an excuse to show up late as any."

    hi "Doesn't Suzu need your help getting to class?"

    "Miki shrugs, seemingly set on the idea of waiting for me."

    mk "If I'm not back by a certain time, she'll get one of the nurses to walk her. It's no big deal."

    "I'm not sure if Suzu would see it that way, but I let it go. It doesn't seem like I'd be able to convince her."

    #Nurse's office

    nk "Ah, Nakai. Good to see you!"

    nk "Have a seat. So, how's the running going?"

    "How can anyone in this profession be as cheerful as he is? It's only making me feel worse for what I have to tell him."

    hi "Well…"

    "The nurse's smile fades as he picks up on my hesitation to discuss the subject."

    #Nurse serious

    nk "I suppose I'd better examine you first. After that, you'll tell me exactly what happened."

    "Why do I feel so ashamed, as if I disappointed him?"

    "He conducts his tests with cold, mechanical efficiency. The warmth that had been overflowing from him earlier has vanished."

    "Before long he finishes, a single nod letting me know I seem to be fine for the moment while the nurse jots down some notes on his clipboard."

    "He motions for me to take a seat at his desk again and explain what happened."

    "His eyes narrow as I begin to recount the events of this morning's run to him."

    "The nurse calmly listens, interrupting me only a couple of times to ask about specific details."

    "I'm not sure why, but when I get to describing the incident itself, I feel the need to emphasize it happened after my run and that it wasn't as serious as before."

    "It's a bit odd, I guess, but I feel like I should let him know I'm not being negligent or needlessly risky."

    "When I finally stop talking, the nurse taps his chin pensively."

    "He then leans back in his chair and folds his arms."

    nk "Nakai, do you know what the most difficult aspect to working in the medical field is?"

    "What does that have to do with anything?"

    hi "Uhm… I don't know, you're the professional here."

    #Nurse smile

    nk "So I am..."

    nk "Alright, I'll tell you."

    #Nurse serious

    nk "It's patients who ignore the advice of 'professionals' like me."

    hi "It's not-"

    "The nurse silences me with only a stern look."

    nk "Do you know why I suggested you take up running?"

    nk "It wasn't to impress girls with your athletic ability, it was so that you could get a grip on your condition and make the most of it."

    "I can feel my face turn red. I want to argue that isn't the case at all, but I can't find the words to."

    nk "You have a weak heart. I shouldn't have to tell you again and again what that means."

    hi "I know."

    nk "Do you? I somehow don't think you'd be taking these kinds of risks if you did."

    nk "Light exercise is good for you, but you have to be very careful about your limits."

    nk "I thought that having you train with an experienced runner would be the safest way for you to adjust to a healthy workout regimen, that's why I paired you up with Ibarazaki."

    nk "When you switched to running with Miura, I had my concerns, until she came to me asking how she could help if you ever had another incident at the track."

    "The nurse pauses, just long enough for realization to set in."

    "I knew she wasn't telling me the truth when she said she saw it on TV, but I didn't expect her to ask the nurse for help like this, just to be able to help me."

    hi "Miki came to you?"

    nk "Please let me finish."

    nk "Seeing how dedicated she was to coaching you, I decided to give her a shot."

    nk "But maybe it was a bad idea for you to run with her after all."

    hi "What do you mean?"

    nk "What I mean is that maybe it's better if you were to run with someone whose presence won't distract you as much, Nakai."

    hi "What? I don't think she's distracting me at all. Besides, she really did help me out a great deal so far."

    nk "Look. I get it, you're young, she's every bit as attractive as she is athletic. It's easy to be tempted into wanting to show off for her."

    "What is he implying? That I'm only running because of Miki?"

    "The words I was looking for finally managed to arrange themselves and I find myself responding more hotly than I had intended."

    hi "I'm {b}not{/b} doing this to show off to her! I'm doing it for my own sake!"

    hi "And as for today, I only just overreached. I still managed to run the full length she suggested, even if it might have been better to run half a lap less."

    hi "Do you really think I'd risk my life just so I can look good in front of her?"

    hi "When I first came here you also said the exercise would help strengthen my heart."

    hi "Well, if I don't increase the intensity of the workout, my heart will never get stronger. {b}I{/b} will never get stronger."

    #Nurse smile

    nk "Finally. That's something I've been wanting to hear from you."

    hi "Huh?"

    nk "Just now, you said you were doing it for your own sake. That's what I wanted to hear."

    hi "You mean you were just pushing me to test me?"

    nk "I had to make sure you were on the right track."

    hi "Is that really something you should be doing to a guy with a heart condition?"

    "The nurse smirks and raises an eyebrow, giving me a stare that I can't place until it dawns on me what he's getting at."

    hi "Okay, working out too hard is worse than getting lectured, but still… all that was just an act?"

    nk "Just the part about getting you another running partner. Honestly, it's not like I could force you on one of the other students."

    nk "The bit about patients ignoring professionals was real, though."

    nk "I trust you realize by now just how serious your condition is."

    "I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief."

    hi "Yeah…"

    nk "Good! Now that that's been taken care of, I do want to add that I'm glad to see you're making progress and sticking to running."

    nk "Despite what I said, Miura does seem to have a good influence on you. Just remember it's your job to be in control of your condition, not hers."

    hi "Definitely."

    "I get up and head for the door, hoping that Miki didn't overhear this talk. As I reach for the door handle I look over my shoulder at the nurse."

    hi "It doesn't count as showing off if I don't want her to have to see me like that again, does it?"

    "The nurse grins and shakes his head."

    nk "No, I'd say that's perfectly fine. In fact, I can only encourage you to keep trying not to collapse in front of her."

    #Hallway outside nurse's office

    "When I get outside, Miki is sitting on the floor, looking a little flustered."

    "Stepping out into the hall caused her to look up in surprise. When she sees me, a smirk curls her lips."

    "Just how much did she hear?"

    hi "Ready to go?"

    "Miki sticks her hand out in response, so I help her to her feet. Together we walk outside, neither of us wanting to spend more time than necessary in the one building that most reminds us of our disabilities."

    mk "For what it's worth, I also want you to keep trying."

    "She says it so casually that it takes me a moment to realize what she's said."

    "It's all the time Miki needs to hurry ahead of me, leaving me by the exit."

    return

    #go on to 2-5

label en_M4e:

    #If Hisao ignored the two.

    "The door swings open, revealing an Emi still clad in her full gym uniform."

    "In a weird way, it's almost comforting to know even a track star like her would need to see the nurse occasionally."

    "Not that I feel any better about being here right now."

    "Emi flashes me a smile, but I catch her eyes darting to Miki."

    emi "Hey, what brings you here?"

    hi "Oh… The usual."

    "Emi looks confused, but behind her the nurse's frown tells me he is all too aware of what I'm implying."

    nk "Emi, why don't you go ahead and get ready for class. Nakai and I will need to have another little chat, it seems."

    "Emi turns to leave, but hesitates. Instead, she looks up at me using a lethal dose of puppy eyes."

    emi "Are you in trouble? Don't worry about him, he tries to sound scary but he's really a softie."

    "Miki leans against the doorframe, out of the nurse's sight, and rolls her eyes at Emi's remark. She simply responds with a victorious smirk."

    hi "Thanks, I'll be fine though."

    "My eyes meet with the nurse's for a moment."

    hi "… I think."

    "Emi chuckles and steps aside to let me into the office."

    emi "Alright, see you around Hisao."

    "She seems to make a point of ignoring Miki. I'm impressed; even in silence the two manage to agitate each other."

    "Miki winces, but otherwise tries not to show any reaction."

    "Moments later Emi disappears around the corner of the empty hallway, leaving me with Miki at the door's threshold."

    hi "You don't have to wait for me, you know. No need for both of us to show up late."

    mk "I don't mind. Class is boring anyway, missing the start isn't a big deal."

    hi "You sure? What about Suzu?"

    "Miki sighs and pushes off from the wall she was leaning against."

    mk "Look, if you don't want me to be here, just say so. Don't try to come up with excuses to get me to leave."

    hi "What? No, I didn't…"

    mk "It's fine, right now I don't really want to be around me, either."

    mk "I'll see you in class. Try not to be {i}too{/i} late, you wouldn't want to miss the part where Mutou's still waking up, right?"

    "Before I can stop her, she's out the hall. A short while later I hear a door slamming shut."

    "Great way to start the day."

    nk "Ready when you are, Nakai."

    "I'm tempted to chase after Miki, to let her know that it's my fault and my fault alone, but this is the kind of thing I can't skip out on."

    "I quickly step inside the office, shutting the door behind me."

    #Office interior

    "The nurse must have readied his instruments during my exchange with Miki. I lift my shirt up over my head and sit down on the bed."

    "My fingers squeeze the balled up t-shirt. It feels damp from the sweat I worked up."

    "I can't bring myself to make eye contact with him. I don't have any good answers to the questions he's inevitably going to ask."

    "Did you simply forget about the last time you pushed yourself like this?"

    "Why did you even do it?"

    "What did you think was going to happen?"

    "Is this all a joke to you?"

    "Do you really want to die?"

    "Do you really want to die?"

    nk "How are you feeling, Nakai?"

    "I finally realize the nurse has been trying to get my attention."

    "My eyes slowly meet his, causing the nurse to frown."

    nk "Why do you have that look on your face?"

    hi "What?"

    nk "From the look of things, your heart seems to be fine, but it looks like you were dangerously close to overstepping your limits."

    nk "Anyway, I'd say you got off lucky, so be grateful for that."

    hi "Yeah…"

    "I find myself agreeing with him because I just want to get out of here."

    "As if reading my mind, the nurse frowns and sits down at his desk."

    nk "You know, I was planning on a big dramatic speech to get you to take your stay here more seriously, but it's no fun if you have that miserable look on your face."

    hi "I…"

    "The nurse looks at me expectantly."

    hi "I know why I'm here. I also know that I'm the only one to blame for this to happen and if this was all, that'd be okay, that'd be something I could deal with, but…"

    nk "But… It's not affecting just you anymore, is that it?"

    hi "… Right. I don't want Miki to feel like she's responsible for my health."

    nk "I can't say that I'm happy about your priorities. To be honest I'd prefer if you showed me the drive to improve your situation for your own sake."

    nk "That said, motivation is a funny thing. A lot of people do a lot of things for a lot of different reasons."

    nk "In the end, what matters are results."

    nk "If you don't want Miki to feel like she needs to take care of you whenever you two are out on the track, it falls on you to make sure she has nothing to worry about."

    hi "Right."

    "It's funny, I was expecting him to be upset at me. Instead he's just sitting there, smiling."

    "The silence is broken when the nurse checks his watch."

    nk "Look at that… Ended up giving you a speech after all. I'd better send you along your way, this is starting to seem like truancy."

    "Relieved, I laugh at the nurse's remark. His enigmatic smile broadens as he writes me a note to pass along to Mutou."

    nk "Now, take it easy at the track. Remember what I told you, I hate having to give the same speech twice."

    hi "I will, thank you."

    nk "Good, hopefully you won't look as sullen next time."

    #Hallway outside the office.

    "I quietly shut the door behind me."

    "The nurse's words slowly sink in as I make my way outside. He's right, I need to take charge."

    "I can't stand the thought of Miki feeling responsible for me."

    "With newfound resolve, I leave the nurse's station for my dorm room, to get ready for the class that I'm already late for."

    return

    #continue to 2-5