A/N: this my little gift to say sorry for the boring chapter last time. i assure you the story is now moving along. i hope you enjoy this chapter.
Truth
Chapter 2: Concern
Hanyu wasn't at school today. She had fallen ill with a cold. I felt sorry that she was sick but why did she have to get sick on the day I need to talk to her. My plan to talk with her after school hasn't changed though. She forced Rika and Satoko to come to school. It was obvious that Rika wanted to stay and look after Hanyu but apparently she demanded that the two attend school. Anyway because of the lack of a club member the club has been cancelled so we get to leave right after school. Rika and Satoko wont be going straight home either. They said they are going to the Irie clinic to get some medicine for Hanyu before they head home.
I know what I have to do. Instead of going home I'm going to go and see Hanyu.
I scribbled down the notes that Chie wanted us too. It seemed like to day would never end. Of course one days where you want school to end it seems slower. In fact when your waiting for anything it seems like time comes to a grinding halt. Its all a matter of perception but its one of those annoying things that the brain dose subconsciously to mess with you.
"Wake up Keiichi!"
Mion's voice snapped me me out of my thoughts.
"What did you say Mion?" I asked casually.
"Its time for lunch. We were just wondering if you wanted to join us?" There was a hint of intolerance in Mion's voice as she said that.
"Oh yeah of course I do." I intentionally sounded overly cheerful to annoy Mion more.
I moved my table to join the others.
"Are you sure okay Keiichi? That's the second time today you were spaced out." Rena's voice was filled with concern. I felt a small pang of guilt about keeping my plan a secret but I had to. Telling them what I was thinking would result in them telling me that nothing happened.
"Oh ho ho. I know exactly what's on Keiichi's mind. He was thinking about Takano's last stand." Satoko grinned. She was clearly proud of her self.
"Come on Keiichi. You have to move on. The rest of us have." unlike Satoko Shion's voice was filled with concern.
"Yeah. We went over this before remember. What ever you think you saw happen on that hill clearly didn't. Your the only one who saw those things when Hanyu stepped in-front of me." said Mion. I looked at her and saw her eyes full of concern as well.
"I wasn't thinking about that at all" I might have sounded a bit frustrated but that's because I was. They were all taking pity on me and they didn't even wait for me to answer if that's what I was thinking about. If I told them I was going to speak with Hanyu they would probably make sure I didn't leave the class-room until I admitted nothing happened. That's not going to happen. I know what I saw that night. It's hard to forget a night where one of your friends had a gun pointed at them.
"Keiichi there's no need to get snippy with us. We just want you to be happy. You need to get over that night and move on with your life. No good will come from dwelling on it." Mion's voice was raised a little and whatever concern she had could no longer be seen in her eyes.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself "I'm sorry I raised my voice but I wasn't thinking about that night. Im done with that. We all are." I hoped that would be enough to sway them away from the subject. I felt a little hand pat my head.
"That's good. I'm proud of you Keiichi." It was Rika. I couldn't help but smile when ever she patted my head like this it was nice.
"Thank you" I said and laughed a little.
"That's the spirit." Laughed Mion as a wide grin spread across her face.
I ate my lunch and pretended to enjoy myself even though I was still frustrated with them they are my friends and just wanted what's best for me.
After I finished I excused myself so I could use the bathroom. I looked at my self in the small mirror and exhaled. I made it. The day's almost out and soon I can get my answers.
As I exited the bathroom I bumped into something. I looked down and saw Rika standing there.
"Oh Rika what's up?"
"Why are still stuck on past events?"
"I don't know what you mean?" I stammered. How did she know I hadn't moved on?
"Please leave it alone. What ever you saw that night did happen I assure you. However you should stop asking questions about it." Her voice sounded different. It sounded older. It sounded tired like the voice of a person who's been through so much and wants it all to stop.
"Why are you saying this?" I was panicking and try as I might I couldn't hide the panic in my voice.
"I'm trying to help you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"do you still intend to go trough with your plan?"
"what plan?" its not possible. How could she know. I had be sure.
"Your going to see Hanyu. After school. While Satoko and I are out getting her medicine."
My eyes widened in shock. "I'm not doing anything of the sort."
"Go ahead. Hanyu's not really sick she's just a good actor. She's waiting for you to go and question her. Don't worry I will take the long road home with Satoko so the two of you have longer to talk."
With those words the little girl turned and left me. I couldn't move. I was over taken by the same fear I felt when Takano held a gun to us.
How did Rika know I was going to speak with Hanyu? How did Hanyu know I wanted to speak with her? I was frightened but it only strengthened my resolve. I was going to get answers today. There was no way I wasn't going to get them now.
I took another moment to once again compose myself and walked into the class. I joined my friends and waited for the day to end.
