Scene 10 – Irregular Melody

The pace I moved to put things back in place can only be dwarfed by my eagerness. Lilly seems to be very nice in general, my interest is in Hanako, who for the last week, always grabs my attention and then run off. The prospect of getting to know her makes all feeling of my exhaustion fade away.

I step out the door of the Music room, standing before Lilly and Hanako.

"…Ready to go…," I let out a deep breath, looking around the hallway now. It is empty, save the three of us.

Hanako holds tightly onto Lilly's arm, using it to hide behind. I wonder if she finds me weird. Every time we have made eye contact, she runs away or turns from me.

I feel disgusted with myself, though the feeling isn't on the surface for long.

Lilly and Hanako walk in front, as I keep close behind. I notice this trend of following a pair of girls around, which is something I'd never believe, could happen to me six months ago.

We head down a single flight of stairs than past a few doors before we reach our destination.

Another classroom?

This classroom shares many traits with the Music room. It is however, set up more like my class in terms of seating arrangements.

Hanako sits at a table, as I take little while longer to examine the room. It is a habit of mine to really take in my environment.

"Would you like some tea, Hiroshi?" Lilly's soft voice pulls me away from my thoughts. I nod at first, but I realize it's a stupid way to respond to her.

"Umm… sure," Thinking about it, I wonder when the last time I've had tea. It has always seemed like something you'd have in a group setting, with family or friends. I can't really pinpoint the memory, but I assume it had to be with Katsumi.

I go to help Lilly with the tea, though she seems quite capable with it, already having the three cups properly filled. She must have had a lot of time to adjust. With the thought past me, I pull up a seat next to Hanako.

A feeling of anxiety overcomes me, something similar to the first time I was around Shizune and Misha. The idea of me getting to know people, it's all some big mystery to me. I got past it with the two of them, but not without issue.

My hope is that I can move forward with this without causing any real issues. I have to pay attention and focus on what happens.

Lilly starts to put sweetener into her tea, without hesitation, I reach my hand to grab some as well.

I feel another hand touch mine, as my fingers take hold of a packet. My eyes glance over, noticing the scar covered hand. I continue to turn, looking at Hanako for a moment. She blushes slightly as we make eye contact.

Terror fills my mind. I don't want to cause a problem with her, quickly apologizing.

"I'm sorry!" My hand moves back by the cup, as I let her grab her sweetener first. Is this really the first thing I say to Hanako?

"Its A-all right…," Hanako takes two packets and turns back to her own cup. I take one, mixing it into my teacup.

Silence grows between us, as I take a sip from my tea. It's Black French Vanilla. It's a wonderful flavor. As soon as I put the cup down, Lilly turns towards me, the expression on her face is one filled with interest.

"So, how long have you been at Yamaku, Hiroshi?" A sweet smile appears across Lilly's face, which makes me feel warm inside.

"…This is my first week still…," When I think back about my words, all I can think of is Shizune and Misha.

"I gathered as much, well, welcome to Yamaku," Something about the tone she uses seems off, I can't figure out why.

There is another pause between us, which strikes me as fascinating. Lilly's responses so far have been rather quick, so her silence makes me wonder, what's on her mind.

Lilly and Hanako take sips from their own tea, which seems to follow a pattern. I try to follow it along, drinking from my cup as well, but quickly my cup empties.

The clink of the cup is a lot louder to me, than it actually is. Lilly puts her own teacup down as well, sighing happily.

"If you need anything, I'm sure I can help. I am the class representative for class 3-2," She slightly tilts her head, the same smile from before reappears. I can't help but be drawn in by it, there is an elegance that makes me feel unusual.

"Your class representative is Shizune Hakamichi, if I remember right," The mention of her name makes me imagine her standing behind me with a look of poise. She always seemed like to be the kind of girl who is all work and no play, but immensely sincere.

"Thank you, and yes she is…," I can feel the tension in my throat disappear, my words coming out more clearly.

I place both hands on the table, grasping each one with the other. Everything looks good so far.

"How do you like things here? Are you adjusting well?" Lilly continues her inquiry. I can say that at the least, she is asking me more about myself than Shizune and Misha did.

"It's not as…," I suddenly stop, realizing that my current choice of words would be something really bad to say. I take a deep breath to clear my mind, looking for the right words.

"It's not what I expected…," I was expecting just another high school, but people are completely different here.

"It never is, for anyone. You'll get used to it." Her words make me wonder if my response is typical. In a place like Yamaku, it might be the case.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Hanako staring at me. Normally this constant staring would make me very agitated, but for some reason, when she does it, I don't feel anything.

I turn my head slightly as I look back at her. There is an encounter between our eyes, but quickly she covers her right eye with her hand and turns from me.

I've been distracted by my attempts to be as polite as possible, I didn't think she was paying attention to it. My heart drops at the thought. My hands shaking a bit, trying to keep my composure as best as I can.

I turn away from both of them, my voice low and unsteady.

"I'm sorry Hanako…, I know I'm kind of… strange…," Reflecting on Katsumi's words, I know I shouldn't let this affect me, but it really hurts.

A sense of dismay hangs over my head, as nothing is said.

"Did you like the tea, Hiroshi?" I jolt at the change of the mood, quickly facing Lilly.

"Huh?!..., oh yes, I did…," smiling a bit, though I'm sure the gesture is lost with Lilly. I glance down at my watch, noticing the time.

"Hey, we have about five minutes until class starts," Hanako and Lilly start to clear the table, as I move chairs back into place.

I feel foolish, every attempt I've made during the lunch period has apparently fallen flat. Hanako isn't saying much to me, and is probably scared of me.

A few chairs make it difficult to move around, as I step over towards the door, where Hanako and Lilly stand. They seem to be whispering to each other as I reach them.

"...Something the matter...?" There is little hope of making this work out well, but at least I can try to patch up small holes.

"Not at all, Hiroshi, we were just waiting for you," Even at the end of things, Lilly is trying to be cheerful, though it doesn't help me that much.

The hallway is full of students moving into their classrooms at this point. I guess we weren't the only ones who were waiting until the last minute to get back.

We move at a quick pace back upstairs, as we reach the door to 3-3, Hanako releases her grip on Lilly.

"See you later Lilly...," Hanako's voice is different, much more relaxed than before.

"Farewell for now Hanako," The exchange between them, makes me wonder how deep their friendship is. Lilly walks down the hall to her class.

I expect Hanako to immediately step inside, but she just stands there, facing the door. Is she thinking about something?

"H-Hiroshi...?" Hearing her say my name, startles me.

"..Yes..?!" I take a step back, unsure of what to expect.

There is a pause, which felt a lot longer than it really was.

"You aren't strange...," With those words spoken, she steps into class. I quickly follow her inside, partly stunned.

What is this all of a sudden?