Chapter 4

Blindly, I stumbled back into the room.

Everyone turned to stare at me disapprovingly, except for Arata. With his back facing me, he continued talking to Nanami, blatantly ignoring my presence.

The atmosphere was like a heavy cloud, slowly choking me.

Staggering towards my bag, I lowered my head ever so slightly, creating a thin barrier with my hair, between us.

My fingers touched my bag and I clutched it to my chest tightly, moving towards the door. The bag in my hands had been a present from all the karuta club members when I had turned 17.

Now, it is the sole proof that our friendship had not been a fleeting dream.

As I placed my hand on the door to open it, Nanami suddenly rushed up to me.

"Chihaya-chan!" She shouted as she hugged me.

Lowering her voice, her maliciousness sent chills running down my spine.

"How does it feel like to have all your friends stolen now?"

She chuckled silently. Her voice sounded so twisted that I could barely hold down the bile that rose to my throat.

"Nana-chan, don't be sad." Arata reassuringly placed a hand on her shoulder.

Obviously they had mistaken her chuckles for sobs.

My throat tightened.

All of them were wrapped around her little finger.

She trembled slightly, playing up her act.

I was at my limit.

Pushing her away, I stood with my back towards them. "It was nice getting to know all of you, but I think it'll be best if I left."

Goodbye.

Somewhere within me, a part of me still refused to accept reality.

I slammed the door shut behind me.

Silent tears fell as my chest was gripped with pain.

It was all over.

Our friendship, everything.

It felt as if they had all ran far ahead with Nanami, leaving me behind, alone…