Sleep arrived

As late as he had

It was almost noon

Awaken

A new day

Aftermath

Ongoing fallout.

Hunger was a sensation

Once in a while

He pondered.

Without it

Food

Cannot be

Appreciated.

Cold

Bland

But sufficient.

Everyone else

Had gone

Punishment

For a late riser.

Aphorism held true

The early bird gets the worm.

Step

Outside

Go

About his day.

The sun

Concealed

An icy veil of gray

Slight precipitation

Reminiscent

The day after

The storm.

He would pay

A due visit

To a certain

Fiery woman.

Northern winds

Sighing through trees

Analogize

The remaining leaves

Like people

The strongest

Hang on

Before

An inevitable

Fall.

Another glimpse

Iconic red coat

In the midst of gray

Piercing contrast

Jade green orbs

Gazing at him.

"Hello there, Hikigaya-san."

"Good morning, Miyako-sama."

Subtle tensions

Wafting

Like a cold mist

Around them.

"Where are you headed?"

Hesitation

Yet with vague reason

If revealed

It would be sharing

Distasteful news

Adding more gasoline

Altercations

To the proverbial fire.

"To a friend."

"In a hurry now, are we?"

"I am going to visit Yumiko."

His statement

Certainly piqued

Her interest.

"Speaking of which, I did see Yumi-chan yesterday. Seems like she was running from something."

"You did?"

Raising an eyebrow

It dawned on him

Either

This woman was a seer

Or misfortune

Struck him again.

"How could I not. The view from that bench in the park oversees the path you two take."

By now

The two

Side by side

Walking

A quiet day

Desolate streets

Chilly winds.

He sighed.

"You probably should know that Yumiko is... unwell, to say the least."

"Caught a cold?"

"Erm... no. I think visiting would do her good."

Silent intervals

Whistling air.

"Miyako-sama. You seem enthusiastic about seeing her."

"That... tends to happen when you have not seen someone in a long time."

Silence

Choking

Skepticism and assumptions

Between the two

Between the lines

Underlying secrecy.

Only a matter of time

Before the cat

Breaks out of the bag.

"Something bad happened."

Understatement.

"I thought so."

The sage

Letting out a breath

Icy frost

Dissipating

So did tensions.

"What did I tell you about being compassionate?"

Her voice

Calm

Yet

Traces

Darker tones.

Bringing him

Another thought

Up until now

Responsibility

Had yet to be

Delegated.

"What happened was beyond me. She tried to harm herself."

Abrupt halt.

"She did what?"

"Cut herself. But I got to her just in time. She's fine now."

"Ah, Hikigaya-san. straightforward as ever."

Kneading her temples

Visible irritation

Certainly

Unpleasant disclosure.

"What do you think drove her to do that?"

"Love."

Answer

Without hesitation.

It was crystal clear.

Love.

Human desires

Affection

For attention

Innate passion.

Volatile

Unstable

In some cases

Deadly.

Literally. Figuratively.

She who falls in love, slips.

Watch your step.

She simply chuckled at his answer.

"Love... love makes a fool out of everyone."

"True."

Quiet agreement

Subtle

But both

Contemplating.

"You will pity her."

"Pardon me?"

Shaking her head lightly

Adjust the scarlet felt hat

And he knew

The type of

Faint smile

When one

Observe a person

Fall into a trap.

He will not pity her.

He respected

Saw her as an equal

The fire queen

And the cynic

On fair ground.

But now

Just as he had planted

Seeds of doubt

The sage

Sowed her own

Provocations

Into the mind

Of the cynic.

"She who attempts suicide is the most pitiful of all."

The cynic was dead silent.

"You will love her."

The sage,

"Because you pity her."

Unveiled,

"Miura Yumiko."

Another cynic.