Miki Route 2-7: Cloak and Dagger

label en_M7:

    #Hisao's room, night

    "I'm lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. As usual I'm having trouble falling asleep."

    "I'd blame my medication, but the truth is that something else is keeping me awake, something that's keeping my eyes open and trained on the white ceiling, as if my thoughts were projected there like a movie."

    "After class, Suzu and I tried to approach Miki so that we could make up for what happened on that bench."

    "She wasn't ready to forgive us, though she agreed to walk Suzu back to their dorms, if only because she needed to go there anyway."

    "When I said I'd meet her at the track, Miki told me not to go there, that she'd manage on her own."

    "That still hurts. Looking back, it seems stupid to only now realize how much I appreciated being relied on, even if it was for something small like keeping track of time."

    "Forcing out a yawn, I roll over and stare at my alarm clock. It's barely ten, I guess I did go to bed a little earlier than usual."

    #SFX phone buzzing

    "My phone vibrates on my nightstand, making my collection of bottles and jars rattle softly."

    "Maybe something happened?"

    "I look at the phone's display. I have a text message, but oddly enough it's from an unknown number. I don't remember giving my number out to anybody else here, leaving me to wonder if Miki got a new phone."

    #Phone displays "Which room # is yours?"

    "What? She's coming over? As I read her message my heart feels like it skipped a beat, which disturbs me for more than one reason."

    "I sit up on my bed and send her a text back."

    #Phone displays "119"

    "Quickly I turn on the light and get dressed. Just as I zip up my pants the phone hums again."

    #Phone displays "K. Coming over."

    "I finish getting dressed and give my room a cursory glance. My desk is a mess, the aftermath of tonight's homework."

    "Just as I feel confident I can receive her without worrying about stray underwear, I look at my nightstand."

    "I don't want her to see all the pills I have to take."

    #SFX hurried knocking

    "Damn, no time to do something about it. I answer the door, hoping that she won't notice."

    "But when I look out into the hallway, I'm greeted by Suzu, not Miki."

    "She looks exhausted, looking as if she might start to sway."

    hi "Suzu? What are you doing here?"

    "She has a look of concern on her face. She keeps her hands folded in front of her, her fingers ruffling the hem of her shirt."

    su "I need to talk to you."

    hi "What happened?"

    "Suzu glances off to the side, distracted by the sound of rustling coming from behind Kenji's door."

    su "Can we talk somewhere with fewer eavesdroppers? Your room, maybe?"

    hi "Sure, come in."

    #Back in Hisao's room.

    "I step aside to let her in and close the door behind her."

    "Suzu takes a cursory glance around my room and ends up deciding to sit down on the bed."

    "I'm a little surprised that she's this comfortable in someone else's room, even more so when she motions for me to sit down on my desk chair."

    hi "Sure, make yourself at home..."

    "She smirks briefly as I take my seat, though her concerned expression soon resurfaces. Her gaze rests on the window for some reason. It's as good a cue as any to find out why she's here."

    hi "So what's going on? It's an odd time for this to just be a social call."

    "Suzu nods, ignoring the joke as she folds her arms."

    su "After I woke up I wanted to talk to Miki, to try to make up."

    su "But when I tried, I noticed her door was locked."

    hi "So… She didn't want you to come in?"

    "A frustrated sigh escapes her lips as she shakes her head."

    su "No, she only locks the door when she's out. She's that kind of person."

    hi "What do you mean 'that kind'?"

    "Suzu gives an exasperated sigh."

    su "That's not what matters right now."

    hi "Okay, okay. You're saying Miki isn't in her room then?"

    su "Yes. I think she's out running again."

    hi "She did mention that. I still don't get why she would be running at this time of night though."

    su "Who knows, maybe because she thinks the extra training will give her an edge."

    su "Maybe because nobody in their right mind would go out there this late."

    hi "What's that supposed to mean?"

    su "Maybe she also runs at night so she can have the track all to herself without worrying about anyone else."

    hi "...Like friends who don't fully support her?"

    "She winces and nods slowly, avoiding eye contact."

    su "I need to set that right."

    hi "It's not something you can just take back, you know."

    su "I know..."

    hi "So why are you here then? If you're looking for Miki, couldn't you just wait for her to get back from training?"

    "At this her shoulders slump as her gaze rests on her feet."

    su "I'm not sure if she'd listen."

    hi "Because of what you said during lunch?"

    su "Yes… But you have to understand, I didn't say it to hurt her. I truly want her to succeed, I just…"

    hi "You just can't let go of her history of competing against Emi?"

    su "Kind of… I just don't want her to be miserable if she does lose."

    su "I thought I could try to make it easier for her, but I failed."

    hi "Make it easier? How, by reminding her she might not win?"

    su "No! It's not like that. Never mind, I don't think you'd understand."

    hi "You could always try me."

    hi "But if that's not what you came here for, then what do you want to talk about?"

    su "I… I want her to go back to normal, to stop obsessing over this stupid race or her stupid rivalry."

    su "But I don't know how."

    su "I don't know how this race will affect her, regardless of how it turns out."

    su "And I don't know how I can make sure she goes back to making stupid jokes. And treating me like a friend again."

    "Her slumped pose and pleading eyes make her look desperate, but I don't know what help she needs."

    "All I know is that even after half a day this fight is hurting her."

    "It's got to be hurting Miki as well."

    hi "I don't think there really is anything you can do to make Miki act the way you want her to."

    "Suzu gives a barely perceptible nod, as if reluctantly accepting my statement."

    hi "Maybe you just need to give her some time? It's not like she could stay mad at you forever, right?"

    su "I hope so…"

    "I stand up and take Miki's stopwatch out of my bag. Suzu stares at it with a look of interest, recognizing the device immediately."

    "She then stares at me. Even though she looked weak and small before, her stare is intimidating."

    su "What are you going to do?"

    hi "I want to see if she's still out there."

    su "I don't want you to try to fix this for me. I need to do this on my own, I owe her that much."

    hi "Then why did you come here?"

    su "I needed someone to talk to, but the last thing I need is some guy thinking he'll somehow fix what I can't do on my own."

    hi "Who said anything about that? I promised her I'd help her with her training and that's what I'm going to do."

    "We both know it's only a half truth at best, but the answer seems to satisfy Suzu and her eyes soften again. She plants her feet on the floor, getting ready to leave again."

    "Her hands reach out for me to help her back up on her feet, but the moment she stands, she leans in and gives me a quick hug."

    su "Thank you."

    hi "Uhh…"

    "Before I can ask about the hug, she's let go and heading for the door."

    su "That never happened, understand?"

    hi "What?"

    su "Exactly."

    "Confused by the sudden switch back to her usual self, I follow her out into the hallway, thankful that my collection of pill bottles has gone unnoticed."

    #Hallway

    hi "You should probably head back to your own room now, before anyone sees you here."

    su "Why? It'd be nice to have a different rumor about me floating around."

    hi "What?"

    su "A joke, Hisao."

    hi "Funny."

    "She chuckles, but when she hears the nearby sound of a door closing, she freezes, staring at Kenji's door."

    su "Crap. Maybe I should also tell whoever that was that I was only joking."

    hi "Kenji? I wouldn't worry about it. Let's get going."

    "Of course she wouldn't have to worry about it, even if Kenji did hear us it wouldn't be Suzu that he'd confront."

    "Glancing one last time at Kenji's door, Suzu nods and together we leave the dormitories, splitting up as soon as we step outside."

    #outside bg

    "I close the door behind us silently."

    "Since curfew isn't for another twenty minutes, it's not exactly prohibited for us students to venture out at this time of night, but Suzu and I sneaking  around together is bound to raise some questions neither of us have the time to answer."

    "She gives me a wave goodbye and takes off at a hurried pace, sticking to the shadows and walking so quietly that I can't even hear her footsteps."

    "She's surprisingly good at this."

    "Not that I have the luxury of time to give it any more thought. I circle around the dormitories and head out towards the track."

    "On my way I bump into one of the teachers patrolling campus grounds."

    mistery "What are you doing out this time of night, my boy?"

    #Show Nomiya

    "The silver haired man stares at me through spectacles that look too small for his face. I have the feeling I've seen him walking around school before. Taking a look at his colorful jacket and tie, I'm surprised I didn't notice him earlier."

    "I don't want to risk getting Miki or Suzu in trouble, so I quickly make up an excuse."

    hi "I needed to get some fresh air, I-{w=0.2}{nw}"

    no_ "Ah! A quick break from working diligently? Marvelous!"

    "I instinctively lean back as the old man interrupts. He only takes it as an invitation to continue."

    no_ "I get so excited when I see the young minds of this school display such passion for their work!"

    no_ "Why, you remind me of my star pupil. She's particularly special, you know."

    no_ "She'll be going places, too, if only she'd stop being so indecisive about it."

    "The one impression I'm getting is that this man loves the sound of his own voice. Since I don't want to stay trapped in this conversation much longer, I simply nod after each sentence, while slowly edging away."

    "If this keeps up much longer Miki will have gone to bed by the time I get away from this guy."

    "The thought distracts me enough that I just barely realize he's asking me a question."

    no_ "-our duty to make them apply themselves! Wouldn't you agree, my boy?"

    hi "Uh... Yes?"

    no_ "Precisely! I am overjoyed to come across an insightful student like you during these dreary walks."

    no_ "Say, have you considered joining the art club?"

    hi "Not really, I'm not very good at it."

    no_ "Oh, nonsense! All it takes is practice. Practice, practice practice."

    "The teacher pats my shoulder in an apparently sincere attempt to comfort me for my lack of skill."

    no_ "And guidance, of course. Don't worry, boy, under my tutelage even you will shine like the brightest star!"

    hi "I'll think about it."

    hi "But if you don't mind, I'd like to finish my walk now, after all, curfew isn't far off now."

    no_ "Of course, of course. I would prefer you put on a coat next time, though. Catching a cold would be very unfortunate for a hardworking young man such as yourself!"

    "With that, I'm dismissed."

    "The teacher continues along his way, talking to himself about an art gallery, gesturing wildly with his hands as if he were rehearsing a speech."

    "Thankful that he has gone in the opposite direction, I make my way to the track, hoping Suzu was luckier than me."

    #Track, night

    "It's dark. There are lights surrounding the track, but they must get switched off after a certain time."

    "Especially at a school for the disabled you wouldn't expect anyone to still want to go for a run at this time of night."

    "Except for Miki."

    "The only light here comes from the lamp posts behind me, illuminating the paths from one building to the next."

    "I can hear her footsteps before I can see her. The rhythmic tapping of sneaker stepping on the Tartan track makes it easier for me to try to spot her."

    "Finally I can see Miki. She's running in that way that makes me feel uneasy."

    "Her steps are rushed, instead of the naturally graceful pace I'm used to. She's leaning forward, straining to go as fast as her body will allow."

    "She's still half a lap away. I wonder if she can see me. When she runs past me, I fear that she doesn't."

    "She crosses the finish line and comes to a halt, staring at the lit up display of a different stopwatch."

    "In the silence of night I hear the clicks of buttons being pressed and Miki turns to face me, slowly walking over."

    "I meet her halfway and now that we're face to face, I can see her bangs cling to her forehead. Her breathing is heavy, her frown only adds to the apparent fatigue as she meets my gaze."

    mk "What're you doing here?"

    hi "Suzu came by and told me you were out here."

    "Miki tenses up at the mention of her friend's name and her expression changes."

    mk "You should know better than to try to talk me out of training."

    "I flash her the stopwatch I brought with me."

    hi "I know, I'm here to keep my promise."

    "She raises an eyebrow as she stares first at me, then the stopwatch dangling from its cord."

    hi "Really. If you think this is what you need to do, then I'll support you every step of the way."

    "That's enough to convince her as she relaxes, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her bandaged arm."

    mk "Y'know that one isn't any good in the dark."

    "Her face betrays the slightest hint of a smile as she holds out the one she had been using."

    mk "Think ya can handle this one?"

    "I slip Miki's old stopwatch into my pocket and take the new one."

    hi "I don't know… This one has a light, sounds tricky."

    mk "You dork."

    hi "Are we okay now?"

    mk "I'm not sure. I mean, I don't know what I wanted to hear ya say or why I even wanted ya to say something else, but it looked like you agreed with Suzu."

    hi "I don't agree with her though. I wouldn't be out here with you every day if I did."

    hi "For what it's worth, I know I didn't put it the best way when you asked me, but I do believe in you."

    hi "I think you can win this, but I just didn't want to make any empty claims as if you're a child who needs that sort of thing."

    "Miki's shoulder slump as she makes a pained expression, like a child being lectured."

    mk "Jeez, you really know how to cheer a girl up, huh? I feel like such a brat now."

    "Miki rubs her arm again, wrapping her thumb and fingers around."

    hi "Then do the mature thing and at least listen to what she has to say."

    "She stares up at the starspecked sky, her hair cascading down her back in a way that could easily be distracting."

    "Before I can try to get her attention she nods at the stars above and gives me a small shrug."

    mk "I guess I should. She'll only worry about me if I don't."

    "It's probably the closest Miki can get to admitting having a fight with her best friend here upset her as well."

    "With her usual grin she swings her arms in horizontal arcs, alternating them as one stretches and the other wraps around herself."

    mk "I'm starting to get cold here, can I start running now?"

    hi "Yes, I think I've said my part. Thanks for listening."

    mk "Well, you usually have something interesting to say, I figured it was worth my time."

    hi "Usually huh?"

    mk "Yeah, like when you give me my time and it's under a minute. That's one of my favorite things I've heard ya say."

   "I can't help but laugh. Somehow it almost sounds sweet, coming from her."

    hi "If that's the case, let's see if you can get me to say it again. Let's get started, you're the one who gets to keep warm by running, I'd rather not stay up all night in the cold."

    "Miki laughs and playfully pats my head, messing up my hair a little as she grins."

    mk "Poor guy… Suck it up, I'll show you an awesome time for my next lap."

    hi "That's pretty confident."

    mk "Of course, I'm in a good mood and I remember someone telling me that's when I'm at my best."

    "With that, she turns around and briskly walks to the starting line, her hair swaying behind her with every step."

    "There's a spring to her step as she approaches the starting line, I can't help but notice it as I follow her."

    #Running Position CG?

    "The moment she kneels down to take her starting position, her eyes are only on the track, her lips curled into a confident smile."

    "I can't help but get roped in by her confidence."

    "At my command she starts to run, lap after lap"

    #Sound effect of running steps, just the track nighttime bg

    "The first lap is fast, but she can do better."

    #Show stopwatch MKII, time: 1:01:45

    #Show Miki

    mk "Damn! I thought I had it, there. Let's try again!"

    #fadeout

    #Running sfx

    "Come on, you can do this."

    "She crosses the finish line, her hair trailing behind her."

    "It's a good thing pressing the button has become a habit by now, I don't think I'd remember to otherwise."

    #Stopwatch MKII time: 1:00:85

    #show Miki

    mk "So close! Alright! Next time I'll get it! Watch me!"

    hi "Yeah, less than a second to beat now. You can do it!"

    "I shiver a little and rub my shoulders as Miki takes her position to start again."

    #fadeout

    #Running sfx

    "Miki speeds along the track, her mouth fixed into a grin as she gives off the impression of flying across the track."

    "She crosses the finish line, turning around immediately to hear the result."

    #show stopwatch MKII time: 01:00:12

    #Show Miki

    mk "Oh come on! You sure you weren't slow that time?"

    hi "Nope, but you're nearly there."

    mk "Just so you know, now that you said you're gonna keep your promise, I'm not letting you go to bed 'til I beat one minute."

    hi "Oh? What if I fall asleep from standing around here while you're running?"

    mk "Up to you, but if you mess up the time even once I'm kicking your ass!"

    hi "You're pretty scary when you've got your eyes set on a goal, you know that?"

    "She laughs as she playfully taps my shin with her foot."

    #fadeout

    #Running sfx

    "Faster! Faster! With every step she takes towards the finish line I can feel my body tense up as if I'm the one running."

    "I've heard of a runner's high, but I didn't think it was so contagious, like a kind of contact high."

    "That's all the time I get to contemplate the possibility as Miki's form crosses the line."

    mk "How'd I do?"

    "She's panting, giving these laps everything she's got."

    #show stopwatch MKII time: 00:58:77

    hi "You did it!"

    "For a moment she stares at the display, wanting to see it for herself."

    "Her smile turns into a grin as she pumps her fist into the air."

    mk "I did it! A new record!"

    "I beam at her with pride. Our eyes meet and the next moment I feel her warm body pressed up against mine, her arms wrapping around my torso."

    mk "I told you I'd show you a great time."

    "Before I can return the hug, she slips away from me, turning away to face the campus buildings."

    "I join her, crossing my arms to keep her from noticing the night's chill affecting me."

    hi "Are you ready to go back?"

    "She looks at me, her cheeks flushed."

    mk "Almost… Mind if we stay here a little longer?"

    "I can feel my body call for the comforting warmth of my bed, but I try to ignore it."

    hi "Of course not. Are you nervous about getting caught or something?"

    mk "Nah… It's not like it's the first time I'm out here. The patrolling teachers are pretty easy to avoid."

    "Considering how quickly I bumped into a teacher tonight, I don't know if I was just unlucky, or if she's so much better at sneaking around."

    "She stretches her legs, bending over with one leg wrapped around the other. Each time she holds her pose for a few seconds before switching."

    hi "Don't you get tired training this much?"

    "She glances up at me and brushes the hair out of her face, giving me an appraising look. She rises back up and shrugs."

    mk "I guess."

    mk "It's worth it though."

    "I know I told her I'd support her, but I have to ask."

    hi "Are you still gonna train tomorrow?"

    mk "If I said yes, would you help me?"

    "We stand in silence, facing the distant lights. Lampposts, the few rooms in the dormitories whose occupants must still be awake."

    "'People like us should stick together.'"

    "Remembering Miki's comment now that it's just the two of us out here, it feels as if we are taking on the entire school, together."

    hi "Probably. I just wouldn't want you to be tired on the day of the track meet. I want to see you win."

    "I look at Miki from the corner of my eye, to try to read her reaction."

    "After a moment she turns to me and smirks."

    mk "Alright, you've talked me out of it."

    "That was quick."

    hi "I did?"

    mk "Yeah. Getting some rest before the track meet would be nice."

    hi "I'm glad to hear it. I'm sure Suzu will, too."

    "She doesn't respond."

    "I'm such an idiot, she was in such a good mood before I reminded her of their fight."

    mk "I wonder if she's still up. Probably not."

    hi "Even if she isn't, you'll see her in the morning, right?"

    mk "Sure."

    "She clears her throat, neither of us wanting to revisit that conversation."

    mk "You know..."

    hi "What?"

    "Her fingers trace her bandaged wrist as her eyes manage deftly to avoid meeting mine."

    "When our eyes do meet, she grins devilishly."

    mk "Since you talked me out of training, you should keep me company tomorrow. It'd be nice to do something to take my mind off Sunday."

    "Her playful smile makes it hard to even think of refusing her."

    hi "Hang out? Sure, I'd love to. Do you have anything in mind?"

    mk "I wouldn't mind going to the park again. It's nice there. Nice and far from here."

    hi "Should we ask the guys from the track team along again?"

    mk "Huh? No-{w=0.2}{nw}"

    extend "I mean-"

    "She stops herself before she can say more, folding her arms as she stares off at the distance."

    mk "If you want, I guess."

    hi "Not really, they're more your friends than mine. I was just thinking they could help take your mind off things."

    "She straightens her back and flashes me a playful smile, patting me on the shoulder, starting the walk back."

    mk "You're sweet, but I think I'll be fine with just you keeping me company."

    "I smile as Miki nods at the dormitories, signaling for me to follow as she starts heading back."

    "I'm walking just a step behind her. When we get closer to the dorms, she turns around to say good night."

    mk "I'll see you out here tomorrow morning, right?"

    hi "Yes, bright and early."

    "I hand her the stopwatch she had with her, keeping the older one in my pocket."

    mk "Exactly, let's see if we can get you to set a new record too."

    hi "Uh… I don't think that's a good idea."

    mk "Oh? Oh! Right. Sorry, well then a record for not having one of those attacks."

    hi "You mean a counter to keep track of the number of times I've gone for a run without collapsing?"

    mk "Exactly! My dad had one of those in his shop, too. Well, used to, anyway."

    "We both stare at the ground, Miki withholding an explanation I don't need."

    mk "I'll see you tomorrow."

    "With a little smile and a quick wave she backs away before turning around and quickly making her way to the girls' dormitories."

    "I watch her until she's out of sight before heading for my own room."

    #Fadeout music, and fade to black.
    #That's a wrap!
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