Lost Connection

Disclaimer: I do not own School Days by Overflow , or any of the characters affiliated with it, and this is merely a fan-based piece of work.

It had been a few days since Kotonoha had hung out with Makoto, and it was the afternoon. She decided to email him, but his email couldn't be sent. She then tried to call him, and heard the distant voice of the operator telling her that her call could not reach him. Huh? She thought in surprise, clicking the button again, her face falling as she realised she couldn't contact him. Staring at the ground, she heard the clouds rumble as rain started to fall, but she didn't run and duck under cover. She blinked as raindrops slid down her face, past her cheeks, dripping off her chin, and looked up at the grey sky, her clothes becoming soaked. Makoto-kun... She caught the train in silence, and saw that Makoto had not caught the same train as her yet again. Brows knitted in confusion, she thought back to the jumper that she was knitting for him. She had to start again, because she didn't follow one of the steps properly, but she was determined to knit one for him, and for her, so they could wear it together. Getting off the train, and walking to her home, she walked past it, instead heading to Makoto's. She would tell him that her phone was having problems, and that she wanted to talk.

And who other than Sekai Saionji was at Makoto's place, sitting on the bed. Setsuna had previously blocked Katsura's incoming emails and calls – and it had stayed like that for a few days. Makoto was also holding off his attempt to tell Kotonoha that he and Sekai were now going out, stalling for time. Sekai, however, knew that it wasn't nice that Setsuna had done that to Kotonoha, even though her best friend had apologised after seeing Makoto run after Kotonoha despite her firm warning to not. "I need to find a way of unblocking Kotonoha, Sekai...it isn't really fair for her... And Setsuna keeps trying to let me not talk to her, and I think that-"

He was interrupted by Sekai sniffling, and looked at her, tilting his head, seeing her eyes stare into his. "Makoto! I don't like you hanging around Kotonoha..." she mumbled. "I mean...what does this mean for us? You still haven't broken up with her! I mean...you're going out with me, aren't you? Why does it matter if you've blocked her calls? Can't you just not talk to her...?"

"Sekai...you're always the one saying that you feel bad for Kotonoha, and now..."

She turned her head away and put it against the pillow she was holding in her arms. "I just...don't want her to interfere... You keep stalling, and I want Kotonoha to know...I just...-"

The doorbell rung and Makoto turned and walked to the front door, before opening it to see Kotonoha, as he widened his eyes, startled.

"Makoto-kun..."

"What are you doing here, Kotonoha?" he asked curiously, scratching the back of his neck.

She gave a smile and looked at him softly. "I-I found a way to contact you...um...since my phone doesn't seem to be working..."

"Here, let me have a look." Makoto looked at her phone as Sekai listened in, growing more depressed by the second, feeling as if Kotonoha's presence was dragging her spirits down in the gutter. It didn't help that Makoto hadn't said that they weren't dating anymore; he still hadn't broken off their relationship. She clutched the pillow tighter to her chest, feeling her own chest tighten.

"Ah...no, my phone's the one that isn't working..."

"I-Is that right...?" Kotonoha whispered, looking at her feet.

He pressed a few buttons and smiled. "Here you go...you can email and call me now."

She smiled brightly and nodded her head with closed eyes. "T-thank you! Um, Makoto-kun...do you mind if we..." Makoto coughed and averted his gaze, smiling shakily at her.

"Uh, sorry...I'm feeling kind of sick in the moment...so I don't think you'll be able to come in for tea..." He coughed a fake cough again, and covered his mouth, and she widened her eyes.

"O-oh, that's okay... Um...I was just wondering if I could ask you a question...t-that's all..." She fidgeted with her sleeve and bit the inside of her gums, scuffing her shoes into the ground. "Um...well, Taisuke said to me today that I'm not going out with you...t-that's not true, is it, Makoto-kun...? I-I just wanted to know if you wanted to go to the f-festival with me... Taisuke already asked me, b-but..."

She trailed off, as inside, Sekai's eyes filled with tears as she sobbed quietly. Her day was going from bad, to even worse. "Ah...okay..." Not answering her first question, he laughed nervously. "Well, I'll think about it."

"O-okay..." Kotonoha looked down and saw white sneakers – Sekai's white sneakers. Her face fell considerably, and she felt her stomach churn. "E-Excuse me, Makoto-kun, I-I have to go now... T-thank you for c-considering my idea!" Spinning around on her heels, Kotonoha hurriedly walked down the stairs and felt the crisp night air blow her hair around her face. Despite the calm air, she felt nothing except for sadness, and anger boiled up inside her. Makoto closed the door, and saw Sekai with her clothes and bag, looking firm as she strode right up to him.

"I'm leaving, Makoto!"

"Wait, Sekai!" He tried to call after her, as she stormed out and turned around, her eyes filled with bitter tears. "Kotonoha just left!"

"I don't care!" she yelled, wiping at her eyes with a sleeve. "Anything is better than staying here!"

"Sekai!"

Ignoring him, she walked down the stairs and out the door, seeing Kotonoha standing by the brick wall. Sekai stood still, watching as Kotonoha looked up and walked briskly towards her, her face shadowed and her posture stiff and unwelcoming. She raised a hand as she stood in front of Sekai, her face contorted in anger, as she slapped Sekai, hard. Sekai flinched and stumbled backwards, clutching her cheek, new tears springing in her eyes. "Koto...noha...?"

"D-Don't come near Makoto-kun again!" Kotonoha warned her fiercely, her eyes hardening as she stared the brunette down, her lips pursed, as she shook on the spot. "I'm Makoto-kun's girlfriend! I'm warning you, Saionji-san...if I see you near Makoto-kun again...I won't t-tolerate it!"

Turning on her heel, Kotonoha walked away from Sekai, as the girl widened her eyes and fell to her knees. Kotonoha... W-What am I going to do? I-I don't know anymore... I'm not going to give up Makoto that easily...

As Kotonoha walked, a thin smile crept upon her face, and she remembered the item in the bag she had carried with her upon her shoulder – a long hacksaw, as it clinked. It was a pity she couldn't use it on Sekai. Not while her beloved Makoto was near. She would never hurt him. But Sekai, she was a different matter altogether. Kotonoha was not blind. She knew a slap to the cheek wouldn't deter Sekai, at least for a little while. No matter...I'll take care of the matter myself. I'm Makoto-kun's girlfriend...not Sekai! I won't let her go near him anymore!