Honoka's POV:
*7 Years Old*
"Momma! Momma!" I cried out, feeling dizzy and lightheaded."Momma! Help!" I called again, tears falling faster on my face as my vision started fading.I sunk to the floor, which was slowly being covered by my own blood as it fell from the slits on my wrists, "Please… I don't wanna die… I regret it…"
*Present Day*
"Honoka-chan?" I heard Umi-chan whisper.
"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was spacing out…" I mumbled as I quickly sat up and focused on the meeting we were in.
Well, not really. I could care less about what they had to say. I think everyone feels the same way about this.
"Are you okay? You've been acting weird lately?" Umi-chan asked me quietly, looking around to make sure no teachers saw us.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired. I haven't been sleeping well recently." I lied.
"Maybe you should try to go to bed earlier." Kotori-chan suggested. "Rin-chan told me you stayed up texting with her till nearly two in the morning last night."
"Heh… I'll try." I chuckled quietly, relieved they bought that lie.
It wasn't anything like that. It wasn't that I just wasn't able to sleep at night. I couldn't. No matter how much I want to, I just can't do it. I'm afraid of getting attacked while I slept. And no, it's not an irrational fear!
"That concludes this meeting. You may leave."
"Let's go!" I quickly got up and dragged Umi-chan and Kotori-chan out of the auditorium, hoping to get away from the large crowd of people.
"That was boring." Umi-chan sighed as we stopped in the hallway and let the other student go to their classes.
"Yeah. We already knew that from last year." Kotori-chan agreed.
I didn't say anything. I hadn't paid attention at all. I was too busy worrying about other stuff.
"H-hey, I'm gonna go to the bathroom. I'll meet you in class." I stated, dashing off before they could reply.
Once safely locked in a stall, I allowed myself to relax a little. I only had an hour until I had to go home.
It was raining outside, so everyone in μ's had agreed we shouldn't practice in it. I was really upset when they said we should go home right after school instead of hang out. That meant I had to stay at home for even longer.
"Honoka-chan? Are you alright?" Kotori-chan's voice broke the silence of the once empty bathroom.
"Y-yeah. I just really had to go. I'll be out in a minute." I lied.
I heard footsteps exit the room. I sighed quietly and exited the stall. I walked over to the mirror and stared at my reflection for a moment.
If anyone knew what was going on… I'd never be allowed in here again.
I took a few shaky breaths before walking out into the hall. Kotori-chan was waiting for me right outside. I gave her a smile and hoped she wouldn't notice how fake it was.
"Let's go! Umi-chan is waiting by the classroom." Kotori-chan said as she pulled me along with her.
DIVIDER--
"Class dismissed!"
"See you tomorrow!" Kotori-chan left as soon as class ended. She was going shopping for a present for her mom's birthday.
"Umi-chan? Are you doing anything after school?" I asked, hoping dearly she said no.
"Unfortunately yes." Umi-chan sighed.
"You don't wanna?" I asked.
Umi-chan nodded, "Yeah. But I have to."
"Well, see you tomorrow then." I bid her farewell.
I ran into Rin-chan as I left the room, "Rin-chan! Why are you in a rush?"
"Oh, hi, Honoka-chan. I'm running from Maki-chan. She wants me to come over and get tutored. Nya!" Rin-chan explained as she dashed off again, Maki-chan gaining on her as she appeared out of nowhere.
I tried everyone else, but no one had time to hang out. I had no choice but to go home. Sure, I could go and hang out alone, but I don't want to be alone like that. I hated going out alone.
Before I knew it, I had reached the door to my house. I gulped before walking inside. I hurried up to my room and sat on the bed. I changed into some baggy clothes and laid down on my bed, pulling the hood on my sweatshirt up and curling into a ball.
It wasn't long before I heard a pair of footsteps heading down the hall. I sat up and pushed my hood down, waiting for the inevitable.
"Taro? We need to talk."