Today is the day. I had to try and get a smile out of her, to test the water. The school bell rang. Lunch period. The library was in the other side of the campus, in the west wing. Casually, almost robotically casual, I walked towards the library. Being sure not to run. It would be odd to appear in the most desolate areas of the library before she does. That's just plain creepy.

The halls got emptier and emptier towards the library. Either people didn't like the school library or tose that want to be in the library are already there. They probably ran to the library, I will admit, I've ran to the library before. Some books are actually worth reading.

Walking down the hall towards me. Shuuko-chan, Kominato-kun, and that one other girl. I've found out her name was Makita Yuuri when I overheard a conversation a few classes ago. Shuuko shot me a look of...idk...was it a good luck, or a "you better not mess this up" kind of look. Either way, I kept my head up and slightly acknowledged it. No doubt they've already spoken with her. I wonder. Did they hint anything? No. Shuuko said she wouldn't say anything about me. Kikuchi, you worry too much.

I opened the door to the library. It was very quiet in here. You could hear a pin drop in here. People were on books and mobile devices, distracted by the wonders of literature and society. Moving towards the back of the library. The books became less fun and became more tragic by the section. Stories of happy endings and fairy tales, became stories of tragedy, lost love, and dark endings. The light had also considerably dimmed, some were even flickering, and some were burnt out. The library should really replace the lights back here, it was getting really dark and depressing. The temperature was also dropping the farther I went. Was this region forgotten?

There at the end of the aisle was the end wall, a small table and two really worn chairs. Occupying one of the chairs was Yoshioka-san. I grabbed a book from a nonfiction shelf and sat down in the adjacent chair, pretending to read it. Not even paying attention to the words or the cover.

"I think the school should invest in better lighting and heating in this area."

She did not respond.

"You come here often?"

Still no response.

"Read any good books lately?"

Not a word. Not a gesture.

"Yoshioka-san."

There was a reaction. Her breath paused, and her head raised a little.

"Whatever is going on with you, whatever hurts, you need to let go. Even if letting go hurts more than keeping it with you, you have to let go. Or else you will be stuck in this wasteland."

It seemed that she didn't remember who I was. She did not remember my voice from yesterday. She may have cried herself to sleep last night. There were more tear stains than yesterday.

"I can't," she whispered.

A single tear fell from her eyelashes.

She finally spoke, even if it was just two words. At least, it let me know, she was here.

"I see, I exhaled and sat back in the chair.

Looking at her once more, I noticed something. Her coat was smaller than yesterday, judging by its appearance. It was layed on the back rest of the chair. There were holes and and it was torn in many places. This was her original, she must've grabbed it by mistake this morning. What happened on that day?

The air conditioner started again as a gentle hum came from the vents. I immediately felt the effect and wrapped my scarf around my neck. She also felt this effect and shivered noticeably. This was sad, she no longer cared about her being. Not even caring about the drop in the already cold temperature. Somebody had to help her. I placed my coat around her shoulders and wrapped my scarf around her. At first there was no verbal reply, she stopped shivering, that was a physical reply, but that was it.

"You don't have to," she finally said.

"I want to," I replied,"it's what a guy should do if a girl is cold."

"I have my own coat..."

"You were not gonna put it on anyway."

Silence. It must have been true.

"Why are you here? Why are you doing this for me?"

"Because you need help."

She sat in silence for another ten minutes. She definitely tried to drop the topic, but I don't want her to drop this topic, I just got her to speak to me. I will not let her.

"What is wrong? What will it take to get you to smile again?"

"Nothing will get me to smile again," she whispered,"It's pointless for you to try. Just leave me alone. Go be happy. Go get together with some lucky girl, she would appreciate your kindness more than I can."

"I'm not looking to get together with someone if you think that's why I am here."

Yeah you tell her Kikuchi.

"But I will keep you company here for as long as you you come back here alone. I've only known you for a while, but I consider you to be my friend, and I will not give up on a friend."

No response. The bell rang. My class was on the other side of the campus! I did not want to be late. I picked up my bag and got ready to dart out the library. But before I did I made sure to say,"See you later."

I hoped I was not coming on as a total creeper. This was definitely a rough attempt, but I had to try. Nothing in this world is unfixable. Not objects, not people, not even emotions. But I didn't get a smile out of her... That much I failed to accomplish, but I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to make her feel better.

Definitely, I was gonna run into Shuuko at the end of the school day. Yes, I was probably gonna face her wrath, but I couldn't care less about what she would tell me later today or not. I was gonna make her smile once more.

I realized. I forgot my coat and scarf...