Miki Route 3-2: Rubber and Glue (alternate choice)

label en_M12b

    hi "I don't think it's a good idea. Miki didn't exactly hide how she felt about you worrying over her training."

    "Suzu blinks in surprise, and her lips form a tight line."

    hi "She didn't like it any better when I tried to talk to her after the meet."

    "She scowls, but I know I'm right. I know Miki doesn't want us to butt in."

    hi "I say it's better to give her space and let her deal with it on her own."

    "Carefully returning her face to a blank expression, Suzu stares at me. Seconds pass as her eyes bore into me, chipping away at my confidence."

    hi "What? I'm sure she'd tell us if she wanted us to interfere."

    su "I'm trying to decide if you're really this self-centered or just lazy."

    hi "Excuse me?"

    "She stands up, her eyes fixed on me, pinning me to the bench."

    su "Do you really think she's going to send you a written invitation humbly requesting you to drop by at your convenience?"

    hi "Well no, but you're being-"

    su "You're being an ass, Hisao. Would it kill you to take any initiative, any at all?"

    su "Hell, I'm here trying to help you come to the conclusion you should have drawn days ago and you're still kicking and screaming every step of the way!"

    hi "That's not-"

    su "I'm not finished!"

    "She stands over me and I can feel myself shrinking. I'm reminded of her spat with Shizune and realize how easy our Student Council President got off."

    su "You complain and whine about how Miki didn't pay attention to you and how she yelled at you for trying to console her when she was upset. As if somehow you're worse off than she is!"

    su "Tell me, is it just your heart that's weak or is your spine made of jelly too?"

    hi "Wait a minute-"

    su "I'm not done yet."

    "She leans over and I press myself against the backrest. I feel anger well up inside me, but as much as I want to yell at her, to tell her to back off, the words are cut off before they even make it to my throat."

    "Satisfied that she has my attention, she straightens herself, taking a small step back."

    su "You know, I really should have predicted this would happen. Ever since you came here, if someone didn't come along to tell you to do something you were perfectly happy to just watch from the sidelines, weren't you?"

    hi "That's not true!"

    su "Really? Because Miki told me she was the one who offered to coach your running and she was also the one who asked you if you'd help her with her training. Is there anything you've done while you're here that you did of your own accord?"

    "I'm dumbfounded. I want to refute Suzu's accusations but my mind is drawing a blank. I've never considered myself as passive as she seems to think I am. It's not like I don't want to offer my help."

    hi "I never asked if she wanted me to help her because she's on the track team, I figured she'd have plenty of people lining up to help her."

    su "Like you figured she's fine on her own?"

    hi "That's different and you know it."

    su "Well look at you, finally using that brain of yours. Now try really hard and look past this bubble of self-interest you're wrapped up in and realize that even if she isn't explicitly asking, she needs us."

    hi "If I do, will you stop taking shots at me?"

    "With a groan Suzu rubs her temples, mussing up her hair in the process. She shoots me one last glare, before forcing herself to calm down."

    su "If that's what it takes to get you to act like you're a decent friend: sure. Once Miki is back to normal we can even braid each other's hair over tea."

    hi "I suppose I deserve that. I'm sorry if I've given you the impression of only caring about myself and maybe I have been too passive up until now, but you have to admit it's kind of a stretch to show up here out of the blue and immediately know where I stand with everyone."

    "Suzu's stare relents and I see something resembling recognition in her eyes."

    su "Fair enough, but I hope you know by now where you stand with her. Don't let her down, Hisao."

    hi "Alright. I hope this is going to work."

    su "Miki can be stubborn, but she's not unreasonable. I think she will at least hear us out."

    su "…At least I hope she will…"

    hi "What?"

    "Suzu packs her lunch away quickly, pretending not to hear me."

    su "Come on, lunch is almost over and I'd like to make it to our next class without getting trampled. You can ruminate in there. If you ask nicely I'll even draw you some flowers to gawk at."

    "I try to think of something clever to throw back at her, but nothing comes to mind. Suzu seems to notice and smirks victoriously, nodding her head at me to get up."

    "Since she shows no intention of staying, I pack up my half eaten lunch and obediently walk her to class, ruminating."

    #Girl's dorm, hallway

    "The afternoon went by faster than I'd thought possible. I have no idea what the lessons were about, as all I could think about were Suzu's harsh words."

    "It didn't help that her desk is nearby, and every time I so much as glanced at the door she'd manage to meet my gaze as if warning me not to try run."

    "It's a little unsettling how intimidating she can be, despite her small frame."

    "Then again, it's not as if I needed her to remind me of our agreement. Miki's empty desk is enough and now that Suzu's accusations of being passive echo in my mind I can't help feeling responsible somehow."

    "When the last class finally ends, Suzu waited for me and made a point of escorting me here to the girls' dorm."

    "Under any other circumstance this should be exciting. From the common room I hear laughter and most of the students leave their door open."

    "Suzu ignores her fellow students, marching straight ahead. I try to get used to the idea of being in Miki's room soon by glancing into any room I can."

    "The tastes of these girls vary; some are girly while others aren't too different from my own room. It makes me wonder what décor I'll find in Miki's room."

    su "Come on, we need to go to the first floor."

    "She leads me up a flight of stairs and into a second hallway."

    #first floor hallway

    hi "So what do I tell her?"

    "Suzu spins around and for a moment she looks ready to hit me. Instead she crosses her arms, frustrated."

    su "There aren't any magic words you can tell her. If there were, I'd have said them myself. Just be a friend to her and try really hard not to sound like an insensitive jerk, alright?"

    hi "I'll remember not to bring up juggling. Give me some credit here, will you? I doubt you'd go through all the trouble of getting me here if you really think I'm so incompetent."

    "Her eyes narrow, but instead of a clever comeback she smiles as if I passed a test."

    su "I'm glad you've noticed that much. I'm not asking you to do the impossible here, just talk to her and support her the way you think is best."

    "I nod and, satisfied, she continues her tour of the dorm before stopping by two doors. She unlocks the right and dumps her bag in her room."

    hi "Aren't you joining us?"

    su "No. I don't want to overwhelm her and I need to sleep pretty soon anyway. Do your best."

    hi "But what if I-"

    #knock

    "Without warning, Suzu leans out her room and loudly knocks on Miki's door. With the speed of routine she vanishes back inside and locks up leaving me in the hallway by myself."

    "It can't possibly be that easy. Not after all the effort Suzu told me she put into trying to get Miki to talk to her up until now."

    "I listen intently, but I don't hear anything other than the sound of Suzu moving about in her own room."

    "I can't give up this easily though, so I knock as well."

    #knock

    "On the other side of the door I can hear stirring, then it's quiet again."

    hi "Uhm. Miki? It's me, I was hoping we could talk. About… Well- You know. Stuff."

    "Footsteps shuffle towards the door. Then silence."

    hi "Could you let me in? It's easier to talk that way."

    "Miki's response is the clicking of a key being turned in a lock. The door opens and she retreats back into her room."

    "The ligh from the hallway floods into the room, casting my shadow onto the floor."

    "With little grace Miki pads back to her bed and sits down."

    mk "Close the door behind you."

    "I take a deep breath in a futile gesture to calm my nerves and step inside, letting the door close as requested."

    #Miki's room

    "Light shines in through the window and I imagine Miki's room has seen better days."

    "The floor is littered with clothes. I spy her running shoes carelessly tossed in a corner of the room. The desk is a cluttered mess of books, scrap paper and knickknacks."

    "The walls are mostly bare. She's hung up some posters and from the torn corners that still stick to the wall it looks like she used to have more."

    "In the middle of it all is Miki, sitting on her bed. Her hair is an uncombed mess and she's wearing an old and oversized shirt and shorts. I don't think she's moved from her position on the bed much."

    hi "So… Haven't seen you in a while."

    "Miki doesn't respond and I feel my insides already tying themselves in a knot. I need to get this right. Maybe some fresh air will help."

    "Carefully avoiding her belongings scattered on the floor, I make my way over to the window and notice the track off in the distance. There are students out there, probably from Miki's club."

    "With little effort I open the window enough to feel a cool breeze flood into the room. I shiver, more from nerves than cold."

    mk "What're you doing?"

    hi "I was feeling a bit hot, so I thought I'd help myself. Do you mind?"

    "Miki shakes her head. This is like trying to run through a brick wall."

    hi "You didn't really seem yourself in class yesterday."

    "She shrugs, as if barely remembering leaving her room."

    hi "You don't seem yourself right now, either. What's going on?"

    "Another shrug."

    "I decide to help myself some more and pull up her desk chair, sitting down opposite her. Miki notices, but doesn't speak up."

    hi "I know this isn't just because you lost to Emi."

    "Miki's eyes meet mine and for the first time express curiosity. Finally I have something to go on."

    mk "Why?"

    hi "Doesn't seem like you."

    "She nods faintly, somehow relieved by my reply. The silence returns to the room. Outside I can hear members of the Track and Field club cheering, making me wonder what's going on."

    "Miki's curiosity also seems piqued; she turns to face the window, trying to figure it out as well."

    hi "Wonder what they're doing out there."

    mk "Probably just goofing off."

    hi "You don't feel like joining them?"

    mk "Nah."

    "I feel like I'm close to getting her to talk, but I need the right approach. Maybe if I can keep things light she'll be more at ease."

    "Then again, that might not be enough to get her to open up. Maybe if I open up to her she'll tell me what's bothering her. I could take advantage of the similarities Suzu pointed out."

    #choice time

label en_M33

    menu:

        with menueffect

    "Put Miki at ease"
return m3

    "Talk openly"
return m4

label en_M33a

    "It's probably better not to be too direct, I don't know how fresh the memory of losing still is to her."

    hi "I was thinking of joining the track and field team."

    "Her gaze is pulled away from the open window and her eyes lock onto mine again."

    mk "Why?"

    "I offer a shrug in reply and nod at the people outside."

    hi "I would probably just be there to help out like I did with you, but with the weather getting better it might be nice to keep spending time outside."

    hi "Though I think it'd be more fun if you're out there too."

    "Her eyes dart over to the running shoes in the corner. She looks down at her feet, curling and spreading her toes as if she just discovered them."

    mk "I don't think I can run like I used to."

    hi "Well, you've been in here for a few days, someone told me it's easy to lose whatever progress you make if you don't keep at it."

    "She looks up at me and frowns, then shakes her head."

    mk "Yeah. Something like that, I guess."

    "I think I've got her attention, this is so much easier than I expected."

    hi "You know, we could go out there right now. See your friends, run a couple laps."

    mk "Hisao… I look like a zombie."

    hi "Then imagine the looks on their faces when you start chasing after the people on the track!"

    "Miki chuckles as she is caught off guard and for a moment I see a hint of her old self returning."

    mk "Bite me, cripple boy."

    "She's smiling. I actually made her smile. I can't believe I managed it."

    hi "Aren't you supposed to do the biting?"

    "Miki bares her teeth, chomping for effect."

    hi "So are you ready to leave this room now?"

    "The smile fades. Miki cradles her bandaged wrist and now seems lost in thought."

    hi "Miki?"

    "She sits, motionless. I didn't expect her to make huge leaps of progress just from talking to me, but this feels like we took one step forward and two steps back."

    mk "What do you think when you see me?"

    "I lean back in my chair trying to make sure I heard her right. How do I even answer that when she's like this?"

    hi "What? What do you mean?"

    mk "How would you describe me to someone who's never met me?"

    "Where is she going with this?"

    hi "Well… You're athletic, you don't dress like the other girls do. You have long hair and of course the missing hand is-{w=.5}{nw}"

    mk "I see. Thanks, Hisao."

    "Her weary eyes look up at me, then the open window."

    mk "I'm sleepy. Would you mind…?"

    hi "Sure."

    "With two steps I'm at the window again and I make sure to close it firmly. All the while Miki watches me intently."

    hi "How would you describe me? If you had to, I mean."

    "She stares, considering her reply."

    mk "I'd say you're… Well, you stand out in a place like this."

    "I'm not sure what that means, but I like that I stand out to her."

    hi "Thanks."

    "Time slows to a crawl as we hold our gaze. It feels backwards somehow, like I should be the one in bed and she should be up and about."

    mk "I think I'll get some sleep now."

    hi "Oh. Right."

    "Embarrassed, I retreat towards the door. I'm not quite ready to go yet, though."

    hi "I'll be at the track tomorrow morning. Will I see you there?"

    "Miki has lain down on her bunched up duvet. She lazily lifts her head, nodding."

    mk "Sure."

    "She mumbles something, but I can't make it out. I think I've said all I can. She did seem a little better than when she opened the door."

    "I got her to talk and tomorrow we're running again."

    #Hallway, first floor

    "Carefully I close the door behind me, the click barely audible. Just in time for two girls to see me come out of Miki's room. Feigning embarrassment they quickly walk past, whispering to each other when they think I'm out of earshot."

    "Great. I can only imagine how this will play out. Maybe Kenji does have the right idea."

    "With my job done, I quickly make my way out of this birthplace of rumors and back to the bastion of radio silence I've learned to call home."

return

label en_M33b

    "I need to get this right. If I pressure her too much, she might close herself off to me as well. This feels more like a minefield than a conversation and the more I try to think of the right way to get Miki back on her feet, the more the thought of Suzu relying on me throws me off."

    "The silence is palpable and I know that if I don't talk soon, I'll miss my chance. I can't begin to guess what's bothering Miki, but Suzu seems to think our similarities are something to build on."

    "I hope she's right."

    hi "You know, it still feels kind of alien for me to be here."

    mk "Sorry for the mess."

    "I almost lose my train of thought and try to stifle a laugh. Miki betrays the slightest hint of a smile. It's all the encouragement I need."

    hi "No, I've seen much worse. I mean this school. This time last year I was back home, making plans for summer with friends that never really went anywhere."

    hi "I know I need to embrace this place, but I don't feel any different. Does that make sense?"

    "She nods. Her eyes rest on her bandaged wrist."

    hi "How did you do it? Adjust, I mean."

    "Miki massages her arm, taking her time to formulate a reply. The silence between us draws me in; however this question came up, now I genuinely want to know."

    mk "I don't feel any different…"

    mk "I've been here for a year, but I don't feel like I belong here."

    mk "People here are blind, or deaf, or they have no legs, or some creepy disease that's gonna kill them long before they get a chance to grow wrinkles."

    mk "Compared to that, what am I doing here?"

    mk "What am I doing here?"

    "She bites her lip, squeezing her eyes shut in a vain attempt to keep tears from streaking her soft cheeks."

    mk "It hurts, you know?"

    hi "I know, I'm still-"

    mk "No, my hand. It still hurts. I can feel it. Every day I feel it and it hurts. Do you know how pathetic it is to tell someone your hand hurts when everyone else is putting up with much worse?"

    "I'm not sure what to do. I get up from the chair and slowly move onto the bed, sitting down next to her. She doesn't object."

    hi "It's different for everyone. I've wondered why I'm here myself."

    mk "Your heart…"

    hi "…Isn't a big deal. I take a handful of pills to keep things from getting worse and I have to be careful about exercise. It's just a new routine I've had to pick up."

    hi "It makes me wonder why I had to be sent all the way out here to learn just that. I still don't really have an answer. I know I could've learned all this at a normal school."

    hi "I don't feel like I’m disabled. I'm not in pain, I can still do most of the things I used to. Frankly I don't know how you manage to make it look so easy."

    "Drops stain the front of Miki's shirt. Before I realize what I'm doing, my arm wraps around her and I'm rubbing her shoulder. She leans into me a little bit, stifling her tears."

    "We sit in silence, interrupted only by the faint sounds coming from the track and the breeze rustling the loose sheets of paper on Miki's desk."

    "I want to try again."

    hi "Why was it so important for you to win?"

    "Miki doesn't respond immediately, as if it didn't register. Maybe it was the wrong question to ask. She clears her throat, brushing her bangs out of her face."

    mk "I run because it's something I can do just as good as I used to."

    hi "Before…?"

    mk "Before the accident."

    mk "I'd play lots of sports with my brothers and my dad."

    mk "When I had my accident, my dad wouldn't let me work in the shop anymore and wouldn't let my brothers play sports with me."

    mk "Everyone started treating me like I was so fragile. I hated it, so I focused on running to show them I'm still the same."

    "I'm reminded of my stay in the hospital. Out here I have the luxury of looking more or less normal, but in there my classmates, Iwanako and my parents all would look at me with such pity that I preferred to be alone."

    mk "Then my mom came home one day and told me I was gonna enroll at this place."

    mk "I begged both my parents not to, especially after I found out how expensive this place is, but it was no use."

    mk "To them, I'm not the person I was anymore. I know they love me, but it feels like they treat me like less than a person because there's less of me."

    mk "My only consolation when I got here was the Track and Field Club."

    mk "My mom didn't approve of it. She still tells me she sent me here so I'd "have access to facilities that allow me to focus on my studies". If it was up to her she'd probably sign me up for the Literature or Newspaper Clubs."

    mk "I don't care about any of that. I don't want to spend the rest of my life cooped up in some stuffy office."

    mk "All I want is for them to see me for me. I'm still the same and not some frail thing that's gonna follow in my mom's footsteps instead."

    mk "I thought showing my parents I'm still a great athlete would prove I'm not what they think I am and maybe I'd get to come home."

    mk "I was such an idiot."

    hi "So that's why you needed to win."

    "She nods as fresh tears make their way down."

    mk "I couldn't even do that and now I messed up my last chance."

    hi "Miki… Even if you had won, it wouldn't change anything."

    hi "Winning a race isn't going to undo everything leading up to it. You have to realize that, don't you?"

    "She nods, not entirely convinced."

    hi "It wouldn't have made your parents decide to take you out of Yamaku. Even if we don't feel like we belong here and don't see the reasons why our parents decided to send us here for ourselves, we can't pretend we're still the same and only the world around us has changed."

    hi "The only thing you can do is tell your parents what you told me."

    hi "As much as I hate to say it, my heart condition is a disability that I have to accept. I can't go back and prevent it and it's not just going to go away on its own. It's part of who I am now. Not all of me, just a part of me."

    hi "It's no different for you. You're a great person and without you I don't think I'd bother to go for a run every morning, but you can't go back in time any more than I can. You need to accept who you are now, instead of who you used to be."

     "Miki rubs her eyes with her right hand, wiping the tears on her shorts."

     mk "How?"

    "I let my hand slip down her back and instead bring it up, offering a handshake."

    hi "Nice to meet you, I'm Hisao Nakai. I still like arcade games, but I prefer reading now. My favorite subject is science and I have a heart condition."

    "Miki looks from me to my outstretched hand, back to me again. She lets out a surprised chuckle and shakes my hand."

    mk "Hi Hisao, I'm Miki Miura. I still like cars, my favorite subject is P.E. and I've only got one hand."

    hi "Just like that. You're still you, less one hand. I think if you can come to terms with that, people will notice."

    "She smiles and quirks an eyebrow as she emphatically stares at our hands. With more than a little reluctance I let go."

    mk "Thanks… For coming here and stuff…"

    "I grin like an idiot, but I take it as my cue. I get off the bed and make my way over to her door."

    hi "If you feel up to it, I'll be at the track again tomorrow morning."

    mk "Yeah… I'll try to look less like a zombie."

    hi "You don't have to. It might make for good motivation."

    #thump

    "Miki's pillow hits me in the face before I catch it. I can't help but notice the scent of her hair on it while she laughs triumphantly. I throw the pillow back on the bed and open the door."

    hi "See you tomorrow."

    mk "See ya, cripple boy."

    "The door closes quietly. I think things went well; the promise of seeing her at the track is enough to put me in a good mood."

    "I'm sure the smile on my face will start more rumors before I make it out the door, but I can't bring myself to care."

return