Sunshine spreads itself along the ground like summer raindrops-scattered through the chill of nature's canopy. Mamura stands in silence at the sight of the awkward post break up scene in front of him.
"I'm doing well." She smiles and the lie infuriates him. But through all the anger and all the injustice, his heart aches for Suzume. Stupid girl. Watching the two interact feels like a movie and his body stiffens uncomfortably at the sight. He wants to rush over-to tear them apart. He doesn't though, he simply studies the situation, an outsider and a bystander to their intimate exchange. The worst part of it, however, is the look of pure despair that taints her face.
It is brief and longing. She looks at him how he looks like her and his chest aches. Mamura worries his heart might burst.
His body hovers, then glides to her side. Warmth sears through him at the gesture. It feels so incredibly right that he can't help but take a deep breath and hope he can take another safely. His heart continues to palpitate without mercy. His irrational fears don't seem unlikely now, because the girl looks up at him, a pitiful look of pained relief is painted on her face. Relief at his sight.
He can't help it.
"What's going on?" Swallowing is nearly impossible and he struggles to act natural.
"O-oh... I was just going back to the classroom." Suzume stutters. His eyes drift toward Shishio then back down to her. God help me.
"You don't... have to be concerned about her anymore." Awkward, choppy language falls out of his mouth and his arms feel like lead as they wrap around her.
He feels parched, as if lost in the desert. This girl always seemed to have that effect on him. She would be the cause of his confusion, but he's always find his way back to his Northern Star. The magnetism pulled so hard it was out of his control. Desiring... seeking something close enough to touch, yet too fleeting to grasp.
Something beautiful and ethereal, so criminally unattainable.
He hated how she drove him mad.
His heart continues to fuss as he says a frustratingly sweet lie, "We're together now."
Sensei's shock is brief, and Mamura respects, if only for a moment how he pretends to be happy for the pretenders.
"Congratulations." The pale light of Suzume's eyes fade and regret floods through him. Her expression is of longing and sorrow.
Something they share.
I'm so stupid.
When he leaves, she shoves him away painfully, yelling at him. He deserves it but protests as if he's right. He hates his teacher-not because she loves him, but because of the expressions she has made in his presence. The kind of desperate and fevered looks he always sent her way. He is alone.
Her figure dissolves into the distance and something in him shatters. And no amount of music can drown out the sound of his heart breaking.