Act I, Part VIII

18:25

I walk out of the examination room, closing the door behind me.

Hanako "H-hey, Kuroki."

Kuroki "You're still here? Where is Hisao? I didn't think he would leave you behind."

Hanako "He... had some things to do."

Kuroki "Well, I have to go to the dorms. Do you think you could accompany me in case I pass out?"

Hanako jumps at my words.

Hanako "N-no, I don't mind!"

She seems really nervous for some reason.

18:30

I arrive at the boys' dorms.

Kuroki "Thanks for walking me. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hanako "G-goodnight."

Hanako smiles at me and turns to leave.

I think it might have been the sunset, but... I could have sworn I saw her blushing as she smiled at me. I write it off as my tired mind playing tricks on me, and go to my room.

Open arriving at my room, I notice a manila envelope hung around my doorknob. I check the sender's name and freeze.

Miyamoto Yukine.

All thought processes stop.

I snatch the envelope off the knob and enter my room quickly, almost slamming the door shut. I'm almost hyperventilating. I tear open the envelope and remove the contents: three letters... and the original manuscript for "Black Key".

Oh god.

The first letter is from Yukine, Miko's mother. I carefully unseal it, despite my shaking hands, and read it.

Dear Kucchan,

I found these while cleaning Miko's room. Her will is in the open envelope, in case you haven't read it yet. I want you to know that Miko loved you very much, and that everyone in this family is thankful to you for being with her, even if her father won't admit it. There's another letter in here addressed to you, I didn't read it, so I have no clue what she wrote in there. There must have been something embarrassing written in that letter of hers, or she would have given it to you. In accordance with her will, I have sent a manuscript to you, although nobody in this house knows how she got the manuscript for "Black Key". Before I go, I have one last thing to say.

You will always be family to the Miyamotos. Always. -Yukine

I fold the first letter and reach for the second, ignoring the one that's already open.

Dear Kuroki,

I know this is an embarrassing thing for you to hear, but I have to get it off my chest. I always knew you were actually Kurotori. You actually did a good job of hiding it from me for the first few weeks after Black Key was published. Ichigo told me that you had been staying up late using the typewriter up until Black Key was released, which was the first clue. The second one was the manuscript I found. After running a piece of paper through your typewriter and comparing it to the manuscript, I noticed that they both had the exact same faded 'o' and 'w', which confirmed my suspicions. I want to let you know that you don't have to hide it from me any longer, because I'll always love you no matter what. Even if you wrote a crappy novel, or didn't write one at all, my feelings wouldn't change.

Love (even though I'm not sending this), -Miko

- P.S. I'll admit it was pretty funny watching you pretend to have not even read the book, though.

It takes me a minute to realize tears are slipping down my face. It's so like her to write something like this.

I open my mouth and tell myself something I should have told myself a long time ago.

Kuroki "I miss her."

I miss her so much.

Monday, 12:45

I stand on the rooftop, holding a note in my hand.

I'm not a big fan of cliches, but neither is the person who wrote the note. Hisao noticed it sticking out of my schoolbag while we were in the cafeteria. They probably stuck it in my bag while I was in line. At least this shows some initiative.

But seriously, I've only been here a few days, and I'm on the receiving end of a confession? I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but I've received a few confession letters before, and I think I know where this will most likely go.

While I wait for the note's writer, I think about last night's letter.

Miko was everything to me. She was the reason I started trying to get to class on time. She was the reason I could write Black Key. She is also the reason I'm standing here, still alive. As I think back to the time we spent together, I only now realize how precious she was to me. Now that I've accepted her death, I don't really have a reason to keep going.

Now that she's gone, is my life over?

My thoughts are interrupted by the door to the roof opening. A young girl with blue eyes and long white hair is now standing across from me.

A second year?

Kuroki "Hello."

White Haired Girl "Makina-senpai? What are you doing here?"

Kuroki "Waiting for someone."

Akane "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't introduce myself. My name is Aizawa Akane. May I ask who you're waiting for?"

Kuroki "I have no clue, to be honest. I got a note asking me to wait here during lunch period."

She looks taken aback for a moment.

Akane "You got a note?"

Kuroki "Yes. Were you the one who wrote it, by chance?"

She erupts into a fiery blush, but responds all the same.

Akane "No, but I think one of my friends may have written that."

I see. One of her friends set up a confession for her. That would explain why she looked totally clueless when she walked up here.

Kuroki "Your friend must have the wrong idea then. Sorry if I bothered you. I'll be going now."

I walk to the door. Just as I'm about to open it, she shouts.

Akane "Wait, Senpai! My friend didn't have had the wrong idea, I..."

She looks down, blushing. She's trying to force the words out.

Akane "I saw you on the day you transferred in. I haven't been able to get you out of my head since then. I want to get to know you better..."

She's still looking at her feet and blushing, but I can tell she's being entirely honest about her feelings. She continues to shuffle her feet, trying to find words.

Akane "So I was wondering if you could maybe go out with me..."

I'm trying to think of an answer. Surprisingly, I'm actually considering if I should accept them, but it feels like something is holding me back.

After a long pause, I open my mouth and speak.

Kuroki "I'm flattered, but this is too sudden for me. Could you give me some time to think about it?"

She looks up at me. She looks... disappointed.

Akane "I understand, Senpai."

She was entirely honest with me. It's only fair if I am as well.

Kuroki.
"To tell the truth, I was in a relationship until a while ago. I haven't gotten over her yet."

A pause.

Akane "Did she leave you?"

Another pause.

Kuroki "You could say it that way."

Akane "I understand. Thank you for hearing me out."

The second year student looks extremely bummed out. Suddenly, I have an idea.

Kuroki "Do you think we could eat lunch together with friends for a few days?"

She looks confused for a moment.

Akane "I don't mind, Senpai."

Kuroki "You don't need to be so formal. You can just call me Kuroki. I'm not really one for surnames. You don't mind if I call you Akane, right?"

She gives a small smile.

Akane "If that's what you want to do, I don't mind."

I return her smile.

Kuroki "Starting tomorrow, we'll hang out during lunch. It'll give us time to understand eachother better."

With these parting words, I leave her on the rooftop. As I close the door behind me, I start thinking.

How the hell am I supposed to return a girl's feelings if I can't stop thinking about Miko? The longer I hold on, the more people I will hurt. I told Akane that I would consider her feelings seriously and I damn well intend to do so. But how am I supposed to do that if I've only recently accepted Miko's death? If I don't let go of her soon, I'm going to end up like one of those emo characters you see in anime.

If I'm worried about that last part, I guess I still have some will to live left after all, even if It's just a small spark. I'll create a new goal, something I can pour myself into.

It's a start.

I tell myself this as I head to class.

Another case of writer's block, I'm afraid. I had to rewrite this chapter three times until I was satisfied.

To Ansance (I apologize if I spelled the name wrong): Your review was very encouraging to me and I appreciate your support a lot. I plan on writing another section from Hanako's point of view in the next chapter. Look forward to it!