Miki Route 2-5: Negotiations

label en_M5:

    #classroom, mid-day

    "It's official: school is no longer exciting and new."

    "The morning just dragged on, with the only remarkable event being Miki's tardiness."

    "Even though she left the nurses' station before me, she still managed to show up fifteen minutes after I did."

    "It's happened so often this week that I barely took notice, though Mutou certainly did."

    "Still, the teacher seems to take more pleasure in giving his lectures than he does in berating tardy students, allowing Miki to get away with only a disapproving stare."

    "Mutou's monotonous voice does have some advantages to it. I was able to pick up on the habits of some of my classmates."

    "The way Misha will sign everything Mutou says, so that Shizune can understand and take notes."

    "Suzu perpetually hunching over her desk, resting her ear on her shoulder so that from my position she always looks to be asleep."

    "In that regard, Miki's posture is almost the exact opposite as Suzu's; she seems restless in class, like she'd rather be anywhere else."

    "Even though we don't sit next to each other, she seems to enjoy drawing my attention as soon as Mutou turns to write something on the board."

    "Sometimes she'd just make faces at me, other times she'd try to be more subtle, miming attempts at drawing on a sleeping Suzu's face."

    "At first I tried to ignore it so that I wouldn't miss anything important Mutou was saying, but it didn't take long before I was actually hoping for him to turn his attention to the board."

    "She always managed to surprise me with whatever she'd come up with next."

    "It's only thanks to those brief moments that time seems to pass at all."

    "Finally, the ringing of the school bell announces it's time for lunch, giving me solace in the fact that for at least the next half hour I won't have to be in this classroom."

    "Miki seems quite happy to leave as well, as she's already on her feet. She catches me staring and flashes me a smile, gesturing for me to come over."

    "Suzu is still slumped over her desk, so I'm guessing it's got to do with that, but before I can reach her the Student Council swoops in, descending upon their prey."

    "Shizune signs sharply and as I move in for a closer look, I can see she has a stern expression on her face."

    "Her counterpart doesn't seem to take notice, though, looking as bubbly as ever."

    mi "Hey Micchan! Excited about Sunday?"

    "Micchan? I guess anyone Misha talks to gets a nickname."

    "Miki beams at Misha, her expression softening as she looks from the president to her pink haired interpreter."

    mk "Definitely! I can't wait to face Emi."

    "Misha laughs, but before their conversation can continue, Shizune snaps her fingers at an uncanny volume."

    shi "…"

    mi "Oh, yeah. Right. Sorry, Shicchan."

    "Misha tries to look serious, but as soon as she starts talking her lips curl into a smile again."

    mi "We must discuss your poor attendance, Miccha- er… Miura."

    mk "What for? I'm here, aren't I? And I've told you before, call me Miki, Miura sounds so stiff."

    "Miki's casual response seems to go against what Shizune was expecting and for a brief moment she looks flustered. Her expression soon hardens as she shoots off another series of signs in rapid succession."

    mi "It's not enough to show up, Miura, you  have to show up on time. Showing up late is disrespectful to the teacher, as well as your classmates."

    "Miki raises an eyebrow, still less than impressed by the duo's attempt to reprimand her."

    mk "Mutou shows up late for this class more often than I do, so it's not like he's in any position to feel disrespected."

    "Shizune's lips tighten and her signing speeds up, with Misha straining to keep up."

    shi "…!"

    mi "Even so, this week you still managed to show up even later than he does! Surely you understand that as president I cannot tolerate this behavior from any of the students, let alone someone in my very own class!"

    "If it weren't for Misha sounding so cheerful, I'm sure Shizune's words would reach Miki much better than they currently are."

    "Miki's eyes are locked in an apparent staring contest with Shizune. Defiantly, she crosses her arms before leaning back in her chair."

    mk "I see what you're getting at, but I'm sure the president can excuse my behavior if it's for the sake of earning our class first place at the track meet."

    "There's a glint in Shizune's eye at the mention of 'first place'. It seems Miki knows about her competitive streak."

    "Shizune adjusts her glasses and signs, though her motions have calmed down considerably."

    mi "Shicchan wants to know if you're going to beat Emi."

    "Miki smirks, clearly pleased that the president took the bait."

    mk "Well, that's what I've been training in the mornings for, but if I have to show up for class on time, I won't have time to get in that extra practice."

    mk "It'd be such a shame if I lost because I missed out on that little bit of extra training…"

    "Shizune's smirk matches Miki's. It almost seems like she's impressed with Miki's persuasive skills."

    "She shrugs her shoulders and signs one last message for Misha to translate."

    mi "Huh? I thought you were upset with her."

    shi "…"

    mi "Shicchan says she expects nothing less from Miss Miura than complete and total victory."

    "Miki's grin widens and she nods at Shizune. The president returns the slightest hint of a smile and motions for Misha to follow her as she leaves the classroom."

    mi "Good luck, Micchan! I'll be cheering for you!"

    mk "Thanks!"

    "Just like that, the student council has left, leaving only Suzu, Miki and myself in the classroom."

    su "It's not nice to manipulate people like that, you know."

    "I guess that with Misha's volume, even Suzu would have a hard time staying asleep."

    mk "What are you talking about? You do it to me all the time!"

    "Suzu smiles coyly and shrugs, leaning back into her chair."

    su "I'd never. Besides, with you it's so easy, it hardly deserves to be called 'manipulating.'"

    mk "Hmph! That's not manipulating, that's just me being a nice person and going along with my friend's wishes."

    su "Exactly."

    "It takes Miki a moment to figure out why Suzu is smiling so smugly. When she does, she playfully nudges her friend's shoulder with her left arm."

    mk "You could've backed me up, you know."

    su "Not really. I don't know sign language. Since Shizune has a translator, that would ordinarily be fine, but that translator happens to be Misha."

    su "As long as those two remain joined at the hip, I don't have the energy to put up with them."

    hi "Wait, so you just pretended to be asleep?"

    "Suzu smiles faintly at me, before resting her head on her arm again. Her eyes roll back as she slowly closes them."

    "I watch her in stunned silence, trying to figure out if she's demonstrating her acting skills or having a genuine sleep attack."

    "Her lips are slightly apart, allowing for the tiniest amount of drool to gather at the corner of her mouth."

    "If this is an act, she's very committed."

    "Miki scowls and moves to wake her."

    hi "Should you really do that?"

    mk "Don't worry, she's faking."

    "I look at Suzu again, who seems to be fast asleep, her only movement being coming from her breathing."

    "Miki flicks her forehead, causing the girl to yelp as she sits back up."

    "She rubs her forehead, glaring at her assailant."

    "Miki ignores it and grins at me instead."

    mk "See? I can tell when she's faking."

    "I don't know what surprises me more, how casual Suzu is about using her condition to her advantage, or that Miki is able to see through it so easily."

    hi "How can you usually tell?"

    "Miki beams with pride and opens her mouth to reply, only to be beaten to the punch."

    su "She can't, that's how."

    su "The only way she can tell for sure is by assaulting me like that."

    mk "Oh please, you're just mad I don't let you get away with feigning sleep."

    su "In all fairness you shouldn't be the only one who gets to exploit my narcolepsy, especially since you've been skipping out on your duties lately."

    "Miki flashes an apologetic smile."

    mk "Sorry, it's only until Sunday, so you'll have to forgive me for a little while longer."

    "Suzu sighs and rests her cheek on the palm of her hand, showing no intention of getting up."

    su "I suppose nobody would be able to talk you out of training so much."

    "Maybe I imagine it, but for a moment she seems to make eye contact with me."

    "Regardless, something else just dawned on me."

    hi "Hold on, you've been training without me?"

    mk "Well… kind of. A little."

    hi "And I thought that the training with me was pushing it already. Isn't all that a bit much?"

    mk "I wasn't lying when I told those two I needed the extra training. Don't worry so much, it's nothing I can't handle."

    "Suzu stares at me again, just long enough for me to notice. I don't know what she expects me to do or say, though. Besides, Miki's the running expert here."

    hi "If you say so… But I hope this doesn't mean I'm some kind of ornament for your afternoon training."

    "Miki laughs a little too hard at my comment. Even Suzu raises an eyebrow at her."

    mk "I thought you liked that kind of thing! Really though, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have keeping track of my times."

    hi "I'm so flattered."

    "The conversation halts, until Suzu gasps almost inaudibly as she checks her watch."

    su "If you guys want to eat, I suggest we go now. I'm sure the student council president wouldn't appreciate you showing up late twice in one day, {i}Micchan{/i}."

    mk "Micchan? Don't tell me you're about to grow out your hair and twist it into drills as well."

    su "Why shouldn't I? I thought you liked that kind of thing, {i}Micchan{/i}."

    mk "Don't call me that! It just reminds me of when they tried to get me into the Student Council!"

    hi "They tried to recruit you too?"

    "Miki nods as she gives me an incredulous grin."

    mk "You didn't think you were the only one they asked, did ya? I transferred here pretty much the same way you did and since I didn't know anybody here, those two thought I'd be easy prey."

    "She beams with pride, as if she had managed to dodge a bullet at the time."

    su "So that's why you were so eager to start helping me out. You needed an excuse!"

    mk "Nah, you're the first friend I made in this place!"

    su "And what a privilege that turned out to be. Almost makes one wish you'd become friends with that Misha first, instead."

    "Miki chuckles and wraps her arms around Suzu, helping her up to her feet while at the same time trying to hug her."

    "When the two stand up, Miki only tightens her grip and rubs her cheek against Suzu's."

    mk "You're so cute when you're jealous!"

    "Suzu scowls and tries to push Miki away, though it's clear which of the two girls is stronger."

    su "Let go!"

    mk "Never!"

    su "Miki!"

    mk "Suzu my darling!"

    su "We're gonna miss lunch at this rate!"

    mk "Ahh my sweet, but all I hunger for is already within my grasp!"

    su "This isn't funny! Let go!"

    "I can't help but chuckle at the scene, which only seems to encourage Miki more, much to Suzu's dismay."

    su "Hisao! Do something!"

    hi "What do you want me to do? She seems pretty intent on hanging onto you."

    "Miki's eyes dart from Suzu to me and for a moment she hesitates."

    "It's all the time Suzu needs."

    su "What, you don't know she'd rather-"

    "That's as far as Suzu gets before Miki covers her mouth."

    "She seems to hiss something in Suzu's ear, who responds by nodding once."

    "After that, Miki releases her completely."

    mk "Right. Time for lunch!"

    hi "What was all that about?"

    $doublespeak (mk, su, "Nothing!", "Nothing.")

    su "Come on, Hisao. Time for lunch."

    "Feeling hungry and clueless, I follow the two girls outside."

    #track, afternoon

    "Once again Miki and I are at the track."

    "As usual, I oversee the administrative side of things."

    "Under any other circumstances this sort of thing would probably be boring, but with her it's different."

    "Never mind the appeal of watching her run, there's something else there. Something I don't like seeing in her."

    "Still, I can't bring myself to look away."

    "With only a few days left until the track meet, Miki's training has only intensified."

    "I can tell she's pushing herself even harder when she returns from her third lap, looking like it was her tenth."

    "Her bangs cling to her forehead, damp from the sweat she's managed to work up."

    "It only adds to the desperation her eyes express."

    "Desperation that I'm once again about to contribute to."

    "Despite all her efforts, she still has yet to run the lap in under a minute, like she did before."

    mk "Well?"

    "I show her the time. Three seconds shy of reaching her goal."

    "Miki clasps her left arm as she bites her lip, something I've seen her do whenever she's in a mood like this."

    "Her eyes meet mine and I can see she's holding back the urge to yell, to complain that maybe I'm not timing her right. I wouldn't mind if she did."

    "Instead she turns away and takes her place at the starting line once more."

    "She rests on one knee, waiting for the signals I'm expected to give."

    "Even if I refused to participate, refused to bear witness to her self destruction, I don't think it would keep her from running."

    "At least this way I can try to keep her from seriously hurting herself."

    "Or so I tell myself whenever I see that look in her eyes."

    "It's there again. Even without looking, I can tell it's there."

    "Eyes that only see the goal she's set herself, and the distance she still has to cross in order to reach it."

    "There has to be something I can do to help her."

    "Some way to calm her down enough for her to run like she usually does."

    hi "Miki?"

    "She only barely glances up at me."

    mk "What? Come on, let's get started already, before it gets dark."

    hi "I think you need to take a break, first."

    mk "Nah, I feel fine. This time I'm gonna do it, I can feel it!"

    "I don't think even she believes it."

    hi "No, you're way too tense. Even I can see that."

    hi "Just take a break and try again in a little while, when you're calm."

    mk "I am calm!"

    "I raise an eyebrow at her. Miki sighs and reluctantly rises back up on her feet, joining me on the sidelines."

    mk "You're not supposed to be better at gauging me than I am, you know."

    hi "Considering our morning runs, I could say the same to you."

    hi "Come on, let's sit down for a little while."

    "I lead her to the bleachers where we sit down to watch the other students."

    "Miki's eyes follow a girl running around the track. For a moment she flashes a confident smirk."

    "She then turns and looks at me, our eyes locking once more."

    mk "How could you tell, anyway?"

    hi "I don't really know… You're running differently from before."

    hi "I can't really explain how it's different, but it seems to take you more effort."

    mk "Really…"

    hi "That's just what I think."

    mk "Eh, you might be on to something there."

    hi "You really want to win, don't you?"

    mk "Didn't you ask me that before? Of course I do, I wouldn't be out here right now if I didn't."

    hi "Yeah, it's just that I'm starting to think this can't be just about beating Emi, can it?"

    mk "Well, what if it is?"

    hi "I'd say you're a little obsessed if that were the case."

    mk "Oh really?"

    hi "Yes, but you don't seem the type for that kind of thing. So I think there's something else going on."

    mk "I think you're being a little too clever, Hisao."

    hi "Maybe. I just want to understand why you're going this far to win."

    hi "Does it have to do with your mom?"

    "Miki laughs and I can see her body relax a little."

    mk "No, I told you before, didn't I? Mom's fine with the whole running side of things."

    hi "Then why do you want to win so badly?"

    "She stares up at the sky, as if the answer is written on the clouds."

    mk "I guess it's just something I feel I should be able to do. I want to prove that I can."

    "It's such a simple answer. Like wanting to climb a mountain, simply because it's there."

    hi "That's it?"

    mk "What, that's not good enough?"

    hi "Well… I wouldn't say that…"

    mk "But…?"

    hi "Nothing, forget it."

    mk "No way! Tell me!"

    hi "You're only gonna laugh if I say it."

    mk "As if you saying 'that’s it?' is any better. Tell me and maybe I won't laugh."

    hi "Fine."

    "Miki's eyes light up as she looks at me expectantly."

    hi "I just thought that maybe there was some deeper reason for you to push yourself like this."

    hi "Maybe you had promised someone special that you are going to win, something like that."

    "Her eyes widen for a moment, the next she's on her back, clutching her stomach. Her uncontrolled laughter surprises me, as well as the other students, who stop what they were doing to glance over in our direction."

    hi "I knew it."

    "She frantically waves her hand at me, gesturing for me to keep quiet as she tries to regain her composure."

    "I didn't think it was such a weird thing of me to suspect."

    "Finally she manages to sit up again, still giggling as she wipes a tear from the corner of her eye."

    hi "What's so funny about that, anyway?"

    mk "You're such a dork, Hisao."

    mk "Wanting to win because I promised someone I would? That's so corny!"

    mk "I'm doing this for myself, that's why I have to win."

    "I still feel a little embarrassed about how laughable my suspicion was to her, though I'm relieved to see the tension she exuded has lifted."

    hi "Fine, forget I said anything. You ready to go for your next lap?"

    mk "Aw, don't be like that!"

    "Miki jumps up and turns to face me."

    mk "If you ask me to, I'll promise I'll win. Okay?"

    "She winks before making her way back to the starting line, looking more confident than before."

    "Even though she's making fun of me, I can't help but grin."

    "I get up as well and join her once more. Hopefully she will run like she used to."

    "She kneels down, once more waiting for me to give the signal."

    "Unlike before, she looks almost relaxed, especially compared to her last attempt."

    "A sense of admiration is welling up inside me, like it did the first time I saw her run."

    "With a smile on my lips I tell her to take her position, to get set."

    #running CG's second appearance

    "As soon as 'go' escapes my lips, she takes off, running with the ease and joy that I missed these last few days."

    "Watching her, I can't help but want to run with her, to be by her side."

    "Knowing that I will never be able to, is something I'd rather not think about."

    "There's plenty of things I can do, who cares if I can't do this one thing?"

    "Miki doesn't seem to. At least, I hope she doesn't."

    "I push the thought out of my mind and instead focus entirely on watching her."

    "I try to take in every detail, the way her long hair trails behind her like dark streaks of a comet; the sunlight reflecting off her glistening skin, watching her leg muscles direct her every step."

    "She finishes the lap all too soon for my liking; even the stopwatch seems to agree with me."

    mk "How did I do?"

    "I look at the time, unsure of how to tell her. Instead, I just thrust my hand out to her so she can see it for herself."

    "Her eyes widen as she reads the numbers off the display: 00:59:93."

    "With a cheer, she pumps her fist into the air."

    mk "I knew it! I knew it wasn't a fluke!"

    hi "I guess this proves you run a lot better when you're not so stressed out."

    "Miki grins and raises her eyebrow at me."

    mk "Oh really? Stressed out, was I?"

    hi "Yeah, you were way too tense. The only times you've broken a minute was when you were in a good mood."

    mk "Are you saying I should be thanking you for making this possible?"

    hi "Well, I suppose you could start calling me 'coach' too, coach."

    "Miki can't help but laugh as she crosses her arms, trying to look upset."

    mk "It doesn't work like that! We can't be each other's coaches. Only one of us can and I called it first."

    hi "Yeah, but I never accepted, remember?"

    mk "Like I'd accept a rookie like you as my coach!"

    hi "Maybe I'm a rookie, but that would make me a rookie that helped you break one minute twice now."

    "Miki's smile slowly fades, and before long we find ourselves standing in silence."

    mk "I think we can call it a day."

    hi "Are you sure? With how fanatic you've been, I'd have thought you'd want to keep running until you beat your record again."

    "She smiles at me and quickly shakes her head."

    mk "Nah, all that talk from you and Suzu's beginning to sink in. Anyway, I'll see you later!"

    "I guess Suzu was wrong about Miki's stubbornness."

    hi "Alright, bye."

    "With a wave she excuses herself and jogs back to the dorms, her hair swaying from side to side with every step."

    "I watch her get smaller and smaller as she runs further and further away, until I'm hit with a flash of self awareness."

    "Since I don't have any reason to linger here, I make my own way back to the dorms, though at a much slower pace."

    #Hisao's room

    "Today's homework was pretty easy, fortunately. After dinner I managed to finish it all in just half an hour."

    "It left me with a lot of time to kill for the rest of the night."

    "Ever since I've been attending class, I've become less and less interested in reading. Even if I did feel like it, I only have textbooks in my room."

    "The thought of hanging out with Kenji did cross my mind, but since I'm pretty sure he'd have me wearing a tinfoil hat before the night is over, I think it's better to leave him to his conspiracy theories."

    "Instead, I'm lying on my bed, just waiting to get tired."

    #stopwatch VFX

    "Start."

    "Stop."

    "I can't imagine how bored I must be for the numbers on the display of Miki's stopwatch to be an interesting thing to watch."

    "In terms of excitement it should only barely rank higher than watching paint dry, but somehow I can't bring myself to do anything else."

    "Start."

    "Watching the numbers run, as if they are all racing each other, conjures up images of this track meet that Miki has been training so hard for."

    "I just hope that it'll all be worth it."

    "Stop."

    "The more I think about it, the more something seems off about all this."

    "Start."

    "Miki is usually so laid back. Where class is concerned she doesn't seem at all interested in competition. It's hard to imagine that she really wants to win this badly just for the sake of winning."

    "Stop."

    "I turn the stopwatch over to look at her initials."

    "The letters are scribbled coarsely, but against the black of the stopwatch itself they jump out."

    "By how worn the writing is, I can guess that she's had this thing for a long time."

    "I turn the stopwatch over again and look at the numbers on the little screen as if they hide some deeper meaning."

    "They don't."

    "Reset."

    "I let the stopwatch fall, allowing it to dangle from the cord."

    "Swinging from side to side, I halfheartedly try to hypnotize myself. I'm becoming sleepy, very sleepy."

    "Except instead I start listing all the reasons why this is a stupid idea that wouldn't work, in the same way that other people might count sheep."

    "I give up on the whole idea and put the stopwatch on my nightstand, on what little space is left beside all my medication."

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