Michiru had been warned. "Don't talk to Ayase,she only wants to talk about karuta" The word had circulated through the ranks of the girls at lightning speed. One day Ayase had been part of the class. The next she was shunned. Talking to the shunned meant being shunned yourself
Michiru did understand the rules. Not that she cared. She only knew Ayase by name. Ayase was not a friend for whom she would risk her own future in middle since she was the class representative Such responsibilities could not be taken lightly
Today her duties as class rep came into conflict Ayase had absent for the last week. It was Michiru's job as class representative to take handouts to sick people so that they would not gall behind the rest of the class because of their illness.
Michiru took her duties seriously. No matter the ban on communication with Ayase she was there as an official representative of her class No one would blame her for doing her duty. Just hand the papers to Ayase and leave. That was Michiru's plan.
The woman who answered the door was stunning. In her thirties, she looked like an actress pretending to be a housewife. Michiru was ushered to Chihaya's bedroom. A huge man dressed in scrubs was bent over Chihaya's bed
"Chihaya. What is wrong? You are not sick."
Chihaya stared at Harada" Taichi did not come"
Harada sighed. "We talked about this after the last tournament. He commutes 1 1/2 hours to school. After school he plays soccer and has cram school He has no time for karuta. He told you this before after he made Class B."
Chihaya peeked out " There is no one to play. No one at school will play me. No one at school will talk to me because of karuta. Now there is no one at your club to play with Taichi gone I spend all my time by myself. I can't come in the evenings when the adults show up."
Dr Harada handed her an energy drink " I can't prescribe medicine because you are not sick Keep practicing. You can still play in local tournaments."
Dr Harada was startled when he turned to leave. Michiru took it as her cue to explain the assignments to Chihaya. Chihaya did not even respond to her efforts Michiru laid the assignments on Chihaya's desk, bowed and retreated , unsure how to respond.
She found the doctor outside talking to Chihaya's mother. They left together The doctor paused outside indicating that he wanted to talk to her. Michiru if anything was always respectful of authority. She had seen the respect that Chihaya and her mother held for him Sensei fit him perfectly.
Harada began "MIss, does Chihaya have any friends at school?"
MIchiru found that she could not hide the truth " Ayase is being shunned at school. The word is 'Don't talk to Chihaya,she only wants to talk about karuta. ' If you talk to her, you risk being shunned yourself"
"And yet you came and delivered Chihaya's assignments"
"I knew that I was immune because I was a class representative doing my duty"
The doctor stared at her " When I first met Chihaya, she was a happy little girl who loved to play karuta with her friends. Those friends moved on and now Chihaya is alone without anyone to play karuta with her. What happened to her at school"
Michiru replied "I am told that she pestered people incessantly about playing karuta until the current shunning campaign began. The teacher have forced her to give up her headphones and she can no longer put the cards on her desk"
"Is there no one to play with her at school?"
"Ayase has not found anyone to play with. We do not have a karuta club Plus people who might want to play with her are actively discouraged from doing so."
Dr Harada thought for a minute "Do you know anyone who might play karuta with her?"
Michiru thought for minute "There are a couple in the track and field club that I am in who play a form of karuta which is not competitive."
"Could you talk to them about playing with Chihaya? She has changed so much since she entered 7th grade, I hardly recognize her. From happy and friendly, she has became scared and withdrawn. Most of all she needs a friend. From what you told me, she does not have any"
MIchiru was wondering where this conversation was going she had intended merely to do her job Suddenly she was being asked to find opponents for the class pariah. Not that she did not sympathize wtih Ayase. Bullying was was the worst form of bullying because you could not fight it
She was startled by Dr Harada's parting words" Reach out to her and Chihaya will be your best friend for life.".
She bowed to the doctor and replied " I will consider it" The Doctor smiled and walked away leaving MIchiru to wander what she had herself into