Petrichor —
the smell of the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather
When they were younger, the three of them used to have countless sleepovers together, paint each others' nails, and giggle about their crushes. They went to the movies together and made weekly trips to the bakery, where they enjoyed all kinds of cookies and pastries. Sometimes they would even dream of the future—they decided to go to the same college together and pledged never to leave each other for a boy—and the days flew by like the pages of a book.
Hitomi likes to think that she didn't change at all, because when it really comes down to it, she feels like the same person she was years ago.
She doesn't understand Sayaka's behavior, these days. The blue-haired girl doesn't do much of anything except shut herself up in her bedroom, refusing to speak to anyone. Sayaka doesn't answer her phone when Hitomi tries to call her, and she refuses to say much at school either.
As for Madoka, the pink-haired girl just looks worried all the time. She is so different from her usual happy-go-lucky self; nowadays, there is always a crease between her eyebrows, especially when she glances at Sayaka. She jumps at the tiniest noises and her expression always makes her seem like she's on the verge of tears, as if something terrible is about to happen and she can't stop it.
Honestly, Hitomi is worried.
Friends are supposed to be there for each other, right? So she constantly tries inviting them to her house or the movie theater or a restaurant, hoping that the three of them will finally get a chance to talk. But Sayaka always refuses, and Madoka just bites her lip and shakes her head with an apologetic smile, turning the offer down politely, but her eyes betraying concern for the blue-haired girl.
Hitomi hopes the reason Sayaka is depressed doesn't have anything to do with Kyouske, only because—if she's honest with herself—she doesn't want to feel guilty for her friend's behavior.
After getting rejected for the fourth time, she finally gives up.
Even if the whole thing turns out to be just a fight over a boy, there is something they're not telling her, which makes it even.