Okie dokie, here I am making more sad like fics for this show. Now this takes place around the time that Hibiki is released from the hospital after her rehab and the events that ensued afterwards. I was always curious as to what happens and how Hibiki's family falls apart. Can anyone tell that Hibiki is my favorite? Sorry. Anyway, I actually hope to go more in depth with this idea and make it a couple chapters long. Here's to hoping.

All these events could go in any sort of direction and this is simply a re-imagining of what possibly could have taken place.

Either way, hope it's enjoyable!

The titles are musical terms that I will always post the meaning of in the beginning of each chapter.

Adagio (Italian: slow) is an indication of tempo and is sometimes used to describe a slow movement, even when the indication of speed at the start of the movement may be different.

The rush of air in her lungs felt good. The pounding against her chest was even better, yet it could feel sore at times. But that was fine, right? Jogging on her own two feet without the help of a crutch caused nothing but grins all over.

"Miku! Miku!"
Her friend turned around, hair pinned into a ponytail, smiling just as brightly as she was.
"Hibiki!"

She's hugged Miku plenty of times, especially while she was in rehab, but this one was different. They were finally outside, finally out in the open, probably even causing a few confused and curious stares as others walked past but Hibiki didn't care. She was certain Miku didn't either.
"I didn't know you'd be released so soon! I heard you were better but not enough to leave."

The teenager backed off, fixing her lopsided schoolbag straps back onto her shoulder.

"That's why it's best to be left as a surprise, heh. Glad I managed to catch you on the way to school. So, let's go!"

Hibiki pulled Miku along, feeling more and more excited to start back up with her regular life.
'Yes, time to make up for all the time I've lost!'

Hibiki took a deep breath, stretched out her arms, and exhaled satisfied. The action caused a few of her classmates to look her way but they chose not to speak.

"Ah, it's so nice to be back. I even missed wearing these uniforms!"

"Really? Thought the ties bothered you."

"Heh, they still kind of do but it's so much better than a hospital gown."

Hibiki fixed her tie after realizing it was slightly crooked. How long has it been since she's been out? Quite a few months right? Passage of time in the hospital was slow and yet here she was, back to school as if nothing happened.

"Oh, Hibiki," Miku spoke quietly, "…are you feeling okay? I meant to ask you earlier."

"Of course! They only told me to not do anything strenuous, such as a lot of running and all that, but that shouldn't be a problem. You do all the running for me, Miku. After all, you're practically a star on the track!"

Miku sucked in her bottom lip, giving off what only Hibiki could describe as a pout.
"Are you teasing me?"

"Hehe, no way! I'm just telling the truth is all." Miku looked to be annoyed but soon enough the two of them laughed, feeling her heart beat even more from excitement. They took their individual seats, Miku seating relatively close to the front while Hibiki took her seat near the back. Too bad she wasn't near a window but good thing she was close to the door.

To be back in class felt surreal; only just a few months ago did one of the worst Noise attacks take place and she had been involved in it. Only was she there to see Zwei Wing but to eventually learn that the group was disbanded due to the death of Kanade was sadly on every news outlet. It caused her to ponder—did what she see that day real or did she simply imagine it?

Maybe because she survived the ordeal is what made her excited to come back but she also knew that it could be a set of nerves as well. Miku wasn't her only friend in this school, she was just the easiest to talk to due to their long friendship so she never felt nervous around her. But as for everyone else? Hibiki felt a bit…out of place. Not in a bad way since no one treated her any differently, but maybe because she's been used to the plain colored walls of the hospital for too long.

All her classmates seemed the same but she could feel a sense of dread in her gut. Why did she feel this way? Has to be because of the concert. It didn't matter that it was a few months; to have so many casualties in a short amount of time was enough to make anyone scared. And since Hibiki considered herself lucky, she had to make sure to live as best as she could.

"Hibiki…right?"
"Eh?"

A fellow classmate of hers. She didn't know her name, or couldn't remember at least, so she simply nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"Yes?" She could see Miku up front gathering up her books and bag, being stopped by a few others to talk.

"You just got back from the hospital recently, right? How was it?"

Huh? What did she mean by that? Hibiki awkwardly cast her eyes towards the ceiling, thinking of a possible answer before chuckling.

"It's fine, I suppose, haha. After seeing the same room for so long, it's become a bit tiresome. But, I'm glad to be back!"

"I see…"

The girl was quiet and somewhat reserved; was she nervous to approach her? Why would that ever be the case? Hibiki smiled and lightly pushed back her chair so she could stand up.

"Everything's fine, if you're wondering! I can hop around and even walk without using crutches anymo—!"
"…murderer…"
"Eh?"

"You…you murderer!"

Hibiki felt a strong grip on her shoulders, a push against her body and her feet nearly tripping over the chair legs. Her back fell against the blackboard at the back of the room and before she could even register what happened, the same girl took hold of her shoulders once more.

"It was your fault…it was your fault! You killed him! Give him back! Right now!" Her expression no longer held that reserved exterior, instead her eyes were filled with rage and sadness.

"I-I don't understa—"

"Of course you don't! You're too mixed up in your own little world after getting paid! What's it like, huh? What's it like to live when you have no reason existing at all? When you know you should be dead, while others better than you, are? Is that fair!?"

Hibiki's lips shook as she tried to force out an answer yet the girl continued to overlook it.

"He deserved better. He was more important. He had a wonderful life ahead of him until you took it away. You—a person who has nothing special about them in the slightest!"

The girl continued yet Hibiki no longer heard any words. Where did this come from? Why was she being yelled at? A murderer? There's no way she could be one; she never killed anyone in her life. Wait, one of her classmates had passed away at the concert too, right? A boy who was the captain of one of their teams, she couldn't remember which sport, had died during the Zwei Wing concert.

This girl considered him important.
This girl considered Hibiki worthless.
Why did she live then?
Why?
Why?
Why?

"Hibiki!" Miku's voice forced her back to reality, the girl who yelled at her already pulled away by a few students.
"Hibiki, are you okay? Are you listening to me?"

Hibiki found herself staring at Miku, not even remotely sure how to speak or what to say.

"You better stay away from her!" The girl yelled with tears running down her face. "Or she'll kill you too!"

"Come on, let's go."

Miku held onto Hibiki's hand, pulling her out of the classroom as she watched her other classmates look on with suspicion. Hibiki felt like a lifeless doll only guided by Miku as the went to the bottom floor and exit the school. As Miku stopped in front of her house, she released Hibiki's hand to look at her.

"Hibiki," she started, but eventually fell silent. Maybe even she didn't know what to say to such a random outburst like that. But as the awkward seconds ticked through, she noticed Miku taking a few steps towards her.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure she didn't mean that. It's just…ever since the concert, everyone's been talking about it. The soccer team didn't know what to do with their captain gone and that girl really liked him, so…"

Maybe it meant she said those words out of grief? Did it mean she really didn't blame Hibiki for what happened? Finally, Hibiki moved her lips to speak.

"It's…it's okay Miku! There's no need to apologize. Sorry if I made any of that awkward for you, but I still enjoyed my first day back! I hope you did too."

Miku appeared as if she wanted to interrupt and speak once again but Hibiki wrapped her arms around her friend in an attempt to silence any guilt she felt.

"Don't worry, Miku, it'll be better tomorrow! We'll meet back up, okay?"

"Okay. Then, be careful on your way back. Text me later!"

Hibiki stood and waved until she watched Miku disappear behind the door before making her way to her own house. The feeling she had in her gut only intensified as she walked alone.

'A murderer? Why would she call me that? I didn't kill anyone…' she thought, gripping her shirt, feeling her heart pound against her palm, '…did I?'