Chapter 35

Konata

Urgh. I hate my alarm clock. I lean over the side of the bed and slap the top of my alarm clock. The only good thing about an alarm clock, is that you can switch it off. Or smash it into pieces. I slowly drag myself out of bed, rubbing my eyes and yawning as I go. I pick up yesterday's socks, doubting that they'll be any school socks in my drawer. But then again, I'm not going to school, am I? But, to get away from here, I need to follow the story that I've told my dad. And I'd really like to keep the lying to a minimum.

I quickly scramble into my uniform, feeling a little queasy. I persuade myself that I'm just excited. Anxious, excited, happy, sad. I brush my hair until it looks flawless, making sure that every single knot is now non-existent. I put down my brush and pick up a pen.

I enter the kitchen with my suitcase, as if I'm reminding my dad that I'm going on the 'school fieldtrip' today. Yutaka and my father are already drinking tea, the aroma wafting through the room.

"Hey! You're up early." My dad comments. Yes, I admit I'm lazy, but this is more or less the same time I wake up everyday. On weekdays, anyway.

"Well." I say anxiously, hoping he doesn't spot the worry in my voice. " I'm looking forward to my fieldtrip."

"Ah, of course. I'll be happy to walk with you this morning, you know, to see your OK"

He can't walk with me! He would start talking to me and then I'd feel bad for lying and then I'd tell him everything and then, it would all go wrong! Everything!

"Sorry, dad" I say, hoping I sound calmer than I feel. " I'm meeting my friends down the street. It wouldn't be cool if you walked to the station with us."

" Am I that embarrassing?" He asks, pretending to be hurt.

"Yes. That, and clingy." I joke, laughing nervously.

"Well, if that's how it is….I'll wave you off down the street." He decides firmly, pouring me a cup of tea.

"Have a good time, onee-san" Yutaka smiles at me, holding her own cup of tea.

"I'm sure I'll have a great time." I reply, sitting down at the table. "Wait, dad what time is it?" I ask.

"Umm…..10 past 8. Why?"

" Oh no! I said I'd meet my friends at 5 past!" I suddenly stand up, nearly knocking over my drink. "I'm sorry, I have to go!"

I quickly take my cup over to the sideboard, near the fridge. I discreetly slip a note underneath the cup, in view.

Dear Dad and Yutaka.

I guess you know I'm gone by now? A call from school maybe? But please do not worry. I have gone to find Kagami, and hopefully, I'll be back soon. I promise I'll keep myself out of trouble too.

Love you lots,

Konata.

And that's all I had time to write. I grab my suitcase as dad stands up, following me out of the door.

"Be a good girl, Konata. Love you lots." He says, kissing the top of my forehead, like he's done since I was a little girl.

"I promise, dad! I promise."

I step out of the door, dragging my suitcase along after me. I wave goodbye to dad and Yutaka, who is now also standing at the door. They wave back.

I walk along the road, still smiling, just in case dad or Yutaka are still watching. Walk. Just keep walking, I tell myself, desperate to reach the end of this road. The end of this goddamn road. It's as if this one road, is a metaphor. Get through this, and I can do anything. Well, that's what my heart believes anyway. My brain keeps telling me the truth. This is only one road. One, unimportant, average road.

Whatever this road means to me, I've come to the end of it. I'm at the end of the road. And I run. I forget about the weight of the suitcase, slowing me down, and I just run. And all I can think about, is her. The person who I'm doing this for. And that, makes me run faster. I swear.

By the time I reach the train station, I'm panting. It feels like I've got asthma. I ran all the way here. I rest my hands on my knees, bending slightly. And I just breathe. And it feels great. With every breath, it feels like I'm being recharged. Like a Ds being plugged into it's charger, I guess.

I quickly board a train, glad that I travel on a train 5 days a week. Of course, when you travel on a train so often, you buy monthly cards, so you don't have to pay for individual trains every day. But, I'm not going to school. I've boarded a train that I don't go on 5 days a week. And, I feel free, in an odd way. Technically, I could have escaped on a train pretty much everyday of my life. But then again, this isn't escaping. This is finding. Finding Kagami.

I sit on what seems like the only empty seat in the carriage, in between a middle aged man and an older lady, looking between 40 and 80. Her hairs grey, but she has a young face, hardly any wrinkles - which makes it hard to guess her age. I try not to lean on either of them, feeling awkward squished between them. I look at the map, conveniently placed opposite me on the wall. According to the map, I've got quite a few stops until I can get off. I decided last night where I was going to stop first. And, I'm wishing so badly that she's there...

" Do you want a mint?"

I look at the woman besides me, quite confused. I've never met anybody, who offers strangers mints. Never. I shake my head weakly. I can never eat strong mints, and judging by her breath, they're plenty strong.

"Sure? You're looking a little pale..."

"No thank you. I'm fine." I reply quickly, hoping that my excuse sounds decent. I sigh as the train bumps a little, causing me to lean slightly on the middle aged man. Just a few more stops. A few more stops. I will find her. I must find her. I will be lucky. I have planned this. Planned it well. I was thinking about what Miyuki said, and I made a list of where Kagami might be. Must be. Next stop - Iwatsuki. It doesn't take to long to get there and not too much money - with a rail card. Plus we have memories there. Happy, happy memories. Even if it was only one day out, it was one of the best days of my life.

AN: I'm sorry this one took a while to come out. And by the way, Iwatsuki is 17km from Kasukabe - where Lucky Star is set. ;D