Chapter 4
The Star-Studded Sky

"I think that the clouds liked the laughter, around us, wanting to feel the warmth of somethin' sinkin' down."

Kanata's eyes slowly opened after half an hour.

"Kanata! Are you alright?" I stood up from the chair I was in to get a closer look at the bed-ridden boy. "Uh yeah. How long have I been out?"

"Around half an hour." I stared at him with a worried expression for what seemed like forever.

"Hey it's almost time for class. We should head back to the room." He pointed to the clock on the wall weakly as he tried to let his feet dangle from the bed.

"I don't think that's a very good idea, Kanata." I tried to push him back gently but he brushed my hands from his shoulder, startling me. I felt that he once against put up the wall that I was able to break in the short time I've interacted with him since school started. I did my best to ignore it and instead, assisted him so that he was upright. We silently walked back to our classroom, awkwardness radiating from both of us, saying not a single word to each other.

By the time we got back to the classroom, almost everybody was already in their respective seats, waiting for the teacher to arrive. Suzuya and Yoh stood on either side of the table of Tsukiko, talking to one another, with big smiles plastered on their faces. It was very evident how this girl made them very happy.

"Karin! Were you able to find a club?" Suzuya brought me back to reality. I turned my gaze to Kanata who was standing quietly behind me, by the door before turning back to the Suzuya.

"Uhm- I- yes, I might actually join the glee club." I said, doubt evident in my voice as I tried to avoid looking directly in his eyes. I was always such a bad liar.

Suzuya gave me a confused look. "Are you alright?"

I turned once more to the silver-haired boy who was already seated in his seat. "Uhm yes. Absolutely."

Before he could protest, the door to the room slid open, the teacher entered and class began. I scurried to my seat as fast as I could, again, avoiding eye contact with him. I didn't know why I couldn't tell him what happened but I felt that if I did, Kanata wasn't going to like it.

Time flew by fast, before I knew it. Class was done. I stared into space as I mindlessly packed my bag, putting one book inside after another until everything was inside. I stood up and walked to the door with my eyes on the floor. I felt so tired that I bumped into the person standing with his back in front of me.

"I'm so sorry!" I bowed.

"Karin, you know, if there's anything wrong, you can tell me. You've been spacing out a lot since you got back to the room after lunch." Suzuya was apparently the person whose back I collided with.

"There's nothing wrong, Suzuya." I lied. "Today was a very tiring day, I guess, that's why."

He examined me again before dismissing the issue. "Well then, get some rest. Don't sleep too late okay? I'll see you on Monday."

"Yes sir!" I saluted, making him chuckle lightly before walking away.

I sat on a bench in front of my building as I watched the orange sky turn blue and the stars begin to decorate the night sky with their light. So many things happened today. There was Kanata, who was acting very secretive with what happened to him earlier today. He didn't even tell me what it was that caused him to collapse. Then there was the offer of Shiranui Kazuki to join the student council. And of course, Yahisa Tsukiko. I couldn't help but feel jealous of her. I wanted to feel as cared for as her. I wanted to be looked for when I'm not around. I wanted to be loved.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice someone taking a seat beside me until he spoke up.

"Why are you still here?" Kanata broke the silence, startling me.

"I was thinking…" I sighed "...of what I should do." Not a single word followed from either of us for some time until he decided to speak up again.

"Thank you." I turned to him to give him a confused expression. "For saving me back there."

"Oh." My mind returned to the events that took place in the hallway during lunch time. "It wasn't me. It was Shiranui Kazuki who-"

"If you weren't there, nobody would have gotten to me sooner." I decided not to argue anymore and just flashed him a smile. "You see, I'm sick. I try not to show it so that I wouldn't worry Suzuya and Tsukiko."

"They're very important to you, aren't they?" He turned to me with a blank expression then looked up at stars. It was very beautiful the way they studded the dark sky.

From my peripheral, I saw him stand up. "We should go. It's getting late."

"Go ahead, I'll be fine." I said with moved to stand in front of me and grabbed my left hand before he started walking towards the gate, dragging me along with him "Hey! I said I'll be fine on my own!" I protested.

"No you won't. You only think that. You're forgetting that you're one of the two girls in this campus. You have to be more careful or people will take advantage." I stood in awe and after a few seconds, I nodded in defeat.

"Okay, I'm sorry." I stared at my feet as I walked beside him. We got to the gate without uttering another word to each other. He turned to the right side of the gate, opposite the direction of my home but before walking away, he spoke up. "Hey be careful on your way home."

My face lit up with his expression of concern for me. "Yes!" I beamed at him before also turning my back at him and walking home.