The last bell rings, and everyone scrambles out of the classroom. After quickly revising some of my notes, I head to the library to return the books I finished reading.
Dropping them into the return slot, I hear a loud thump behind the desk.
Yuuko jumps up, rubbing her head.
"Sorry, Yuuko. Didn't mean to startle you." I say, wincing. She simply shrugs in what appears to be resignation.
"It happens...a lot. I'm used to it." That doesn't actually make me feel any better about doing it, but I refrain from mentioning this fact. I quickly pop down into the science-fiction section to see if there is anything new. Hanako, though, is in what I've dubbed 'her corner', reading a book. I decide not to interrupt her and continue on, finding nothing of interest.
Somewhat frustrated, I leave and wander down to the mural to see if Rin is there. Surprisingly, she isn't; and, more to the point, the mural doesn't seem to have progressed much more than it was before. There's some new stuff, but...
I honestly don't know if she's going to finish.
Looking up, I realize that sunset isn't too far away. A small trickle of students remain, but most of them have left to their homes and dorms. And with that, a reminder.
I should buy some supplies. I don't want to live off of cafeteria food and the generosity of Hanako and Lilly for my entire stay here.
It's the latter reason that propels me through the gate and around the corner. Walking down, though, I see a solitary figure walking downhill towards the small town below. The color of her hair and tapping of her cane is unmistakable.
I quickly walk up to her, which seems to catch her attention.
"Hey, Lilly." Recognition fills her face.
"...Hisao?" I almost nod, but remember to say 'yes' instead. She seems to have an excellent memory for voices.
"Good evening. What brings you here?" She gives a small, polite bow, as is her custom.
"Just going into town. You?"
"My, my, what a coincidence." She says, looking amused.
"You too?" I ask.
"Mm. I usually go shopping today. It's easier to shop just before the weekend." She pauses for a moment, suddenly looking a little lost.
"That said, Hanako usually comes into town with me..."
Ah. Not lost, then, but worried.
"Oh, don't worry about Hanako. She was in the library, reading. Probably just got caught up on a book and lost track of time." Lilly lets out a small sigh of relief.
"Thank you. She has a habit of doing that." I nod and we fall into a comfortable silence, heading down the hill. I try to match the taps of my crutch to the softer sounds of Lilly's cane, a game that amuses me for a few minutes.
I stop when I realize that a misstep would lead to injury, and Lilly isn't exactly the best to deal with those. I, well, shouldn't be out here without more people, but it should be okay if I'm careful.
"Is everything alright?" Lilly asks. She must have heard me suddenly stop.
"Yes." I say, frowning. "Just a bit tired. I guess I've been running myself ragged over the last few days."
"Do you need a break?" She asks, concerned.
"Oh, no, not that kind of tired. I can't feel that kind of tired, anyways. Mentally, though? Yeah. Things have been rather hectic as of late."
"Ah." Lilly says. "Well, hopefully everything should settle down for you. The festival's got everyone in a spin right now, and you've been plopped right in the middle of things."
"Oh, yes. I've dealt with worse before. This is nothing. The move here rather disoriented me somewhat, though." She gives a matter-of-fact nod, apparently pleased with my answer while not wanting to pry on the details. It feels almost as if she's included me in the flock of students she's shepherding, along with class 3-2 and Hanako.
I grin at the thought.
"Looking on the bright side, one could see it as a chance for a new beginning. You should cherish the ability to make new friends." Hm...
"This kind of place helps with that, for me, anyways." She doesn't need to ask what I mean when I say that.
...
Walking on down the road, she seems to become somewhat unsettled. Before I can ask what's on her mind, she seems to collect herself and speaks up.
"So, where in town are you going?" That's a good question. I don't actually know where anything is. A terrible lack of foresight on my part.
"I was just going to get some food...but now that you mention it, I don't really know the way." I say, sheepishly. She smiles good-naturedly.
"Well now, this is quite lucky. I was just about to go to the convenience store myself."
"Looks like I'll be in your care again, then. Thanks." Together we walk to the store, our pace slow but steady. I do my best to memorize the route.
...
After what can't be more than several minutes, I catch sight of our objective. Without further ado, we make our way inside with a greeting from the counter.
"Mind if I tag along with you? Usually Hanako would help me, but seeing as she's not here..."
"Uh, sure. Let me put this thing down." I place my crutch next to the entrance of the store, grab two well-used red baskets from the small stack beside the entrance, handing one to Lilly. She lays it on the ground, putting her schoolbag in, retracting her cane and sliding it through the basket's handles before picking it up in her right hand.
Wait, if she doesn't use her cane...
Before I can complete the thought, she comes besides me and pinches the cuff of my uniform in her slender fingers.
"Is this alright?" Lilly asks. I'm a bit taken by surprise, but...
"Yeah, that's fine." My leg should be able to take it. It was a minor sprain, and I'll only be walking for a short period of time. We navigate our way through the store, with not one of the occasional passing customers seeming to bat an eyelid. I guess the local residents must be accustomed to seeing Yamaku students. As we pass through each aisle, I check with Lilly and find out what she needs.
This seems simple enough. I guess this is the same routine she and Hanako follow every Friday.
"All that's left is the bread, and then I'm done. Do you need anything else, Lilly?" I ask.
"No, this should be everything."
"Off we go, then." After a quick side trip to the bakery, we make our way to the register. The line is thankfully short. It's not long before we've both paid for our food and I grab my crutch before we are out the door.
I'll have to figure out a way to get that mini fridge before I can do any serious spending. I'll have to arrange some kind of transportation, then.
As Lilly retrieves her cane and extends it to full length, I turn my head up to look up at the night sky. For a moment I try to make clouds with my breath, but the summer heat doesn't seem to want to cooperate.
Eventually she rights herself, taking a quick stretch before taking her bag and leaving me to my three.
Without further ado, we walk out into the quiet street, talking lightly between ourselves as we carry our bags of food and supplies from the store.
Wait...what's that? I notice a very distinctive figure making its way towards us, silhouetted by the streetlamps. For a second I think it's another male student from my class, but as he, or should I say, she, gets closer I recognize her quickly.
"What the..." I mutter under my breath. Lilly seems to catch it.
"Hm?" She asks.
"It's Rin. Rin Tezuka." The blonde stiffens at the name, cringing before forcing a weak smile.