I didn't go to school for the next month. I was considering becoming a truant altogether. When I did, I thought of Tenma, pleading me to stay, and I returned to school the next day.
This was the deal. I sat, silent, in the wrong seat, and no one would talk to me or I would punch them in the face.
I was shattered, broken up into pieces that stabbed me when I moved, and reduced me into a pile of helpless dust.
I couldn't talk without choking up, so basically I couldn't talk.
A week after my return, rich girl looked as if she'd say something to me, but then she held her tongue.
Itoko didn't acknowledge me, and I her.
It was as if I had died along with my precious Tenma, but no one cared.
Yakumo was the same way.
Of course, everyone promoted to the next grade without me, because I didn't bother to pass the final exam. I didn't even write anything on the paper.
Yakumo and I ate lunch together silently every day, and occasionally I would see tears sliding down her face. My selfish heart would soften, and I would say something reassuring. Only it wasn't convincing.
Eventually Tenma's friends recovered. They began to work as well as before, so now Yakumo and I were left alone, seeking no company but ones who still grieved.
One rainy day, I was walking home with Tenma's sister when a large man appeared and grabbed her arm. I immediately punched him in the face. She's Tenma's sister, and I have to protect her to make Tenma happy.
We began to brawl. Wiping the blood off his face, he gave me an uppercut to the chin, which knocked my face up. Yakumo yelled my name, and I punched his shoulder, and heard a cracking sound. He kicked me, and I flew into the air and landed hard on the concrete.
He ran away, and Yakumo began to sob again. I slowly got up, and offered a hug. She ran into my arms, and I closed them around her. I stared into the emotionless gray sky. Where are you, Tenma?
Tenma isn't here to be her Nee-san anymore. Her duties are now transferred to me. I have to protect her little sister.
We broke apart, and continued down the long, muddy path, that seemed to never end.