A day has passed, and it's already been two days since the shootout at Bakimura Store. It's early on in the morning, bringing in the same morning's atmosphere but on a different day. Rays of light are doing their usual duty, shining their lights onto the houses in the neighborhood until the lights reach onto the Oomuro household. Once the rays finished with shining their lights, the sounds of birds and the green environment overtake the sky and throughout the neighborhood.
Time passes quickly, and its already at seven AM. As per usual, the sisters are ready for school. Nadeshiko and Hanako, per usual, met up with each other in the hallway. The two sisters then headed down the stairs and headed out for the dining room. Hoping that their breakfast is already ready, probably this time, it's their mother who cooked them breakfast. They know that Sakurako had prepared them breakfast, but know they didn't want to expect much from her. Even if Sakurako suddenly got so good with the French Toasts, that doesn't mean she's good with any other cooking.
That's another way of saying they don't want Sakurako to cook again, even if she's serving her one-week punishment.
Either way, they reached the ground floor with their bags hanging in their hands. They didn't speak much except asking each other's activities for today. They entered the living room and, as usual, smelled the pleasant scents in the air. Like yesterday, they put their bags onto the couch, and this time, they noticed Sakurako's bag is on the couch for now. They thought that Sakurako's waiting at the table, but that's pretty much false. Sakurako isn't at the table from where they are standing.
Nevertheless, they ventured into the dining/kitchen room. They then turn their heads towards the kitchen. They see their mother is cooking breakfast. But also surprisingly, Sakurako is also there to help their mother to make breakfast. The two sisters eventually sit down in their chairs despite that they're still surprised with the sight.
"Good morning, sisters," Sakurako greeted, looking at them with only her eyes. "How was your sleep?"
"Hanako had a nice sleep, Saku-chan," Hanako innocently replied, but still awed by Sakurako's current duty.
"Me too," Nadeshiko added with consent. "But, I'm still surprised you're actually cooking again for this morning."
"What's the harm with that?" Sakurako asked, lifting the spatula for a moment. "I'm helping Okaa-san to cook."
"Just promise me you don't screw this up, Sakurako," their mother said, looking over her shoulder to Sakurako.
"I'll make sure of it, Okaa-san," Sakurako replied with a nod before went back to cooking again.
"Well, we're surprised that you're cooking again," Nadeshiko commented, giving a curious gaze to Sakurako's hands on the pan. "But then again, you did make a very delicious breakfast yesterday."
"Yeah, I'm surprised as well," their blonde mother then turns her head to Sakurako. "How did you learn to cook French Toasts?"
"It's simple," Sakurako replied in the same emotionless manner. "Internet."
"Oh…" the mother seems stunned for a moment. "I never thought you actually looked up a recipe on the internet."
"I was just interested in making one," Sakurako added with a shrug.
"Really?" the mother asked, raising her right eyebrow. "I never thought you're the type to be interested in looking at a new recipe."
Sakurako only leans her eyes at the mother. "You do realize how bad I cook, right?"
"Well, yes," the mother replied with a nod. "But try to explain as to how you cook that good yesterday."
Sakurako only looked at her for a moment, before looking back to her cooking. "Through luck, I guess."
Nadeshiko chuckled a little at the amusing answer. "You cooked that good just because of some random luck?"
Nadeshiko expected that Sakurako was just joking about it, but Sakurako didn't even smile at her own statement. "Wait, you weren't kidding?"
Sakurako looks to her eldest sister, shrugs, and shakes her head. "Guilty as charged."
"What's the breakfast for today, Okaa-chan?" Hanako asked, leaning onto the table sideways. "Sakurako-chan?"
"Scrambled eggs, Ham and Cheese roll-ups, and cubes of baked sweet potatoes," Sakurako replied, who is currently cooking the scrambled eggs.
"Sounds delicious," Nadeshiko replied with a smile. "Just don't burn this one, alright?"
Sakurako only shrugs. "Here's hoping."
Both sisters just stare at her for her incorrect response, even their mother looks back at her. "What?" Sakurako asked.
"Don't actually do it," their mother warned, pointing at Sakurako.
Sakurako only stares at her, before proceeding to turn the stove off and puts the eggs onto the plate. "I was only joking."
"Oh…" the mother and the two sisters surprised by the reply, and the mother continued. "Alright, I'll get the plates ready. You can sit down now, Sakurako."
"Yes, Okaa-chan," Sakurako nodded as she looked to her before heading off to the chair.
Sakurako eventually sits down next to Hanako. Sakurako landed her elbow on the table and began to rub her forehead. Hanako and Nadeshiko can't tell if she's stressed out or dizzy and probably having an illness. She then just puts her hand down to the table and stares at her open palm. Her face didn't show much expression, aside from neutrality and… reflecting herself?
"Hey, is everything okay?" Nadeshiko asked, putting both elbows on the table and leaned forward.
"Everything is fine," Sakurako replied, only looking up to her. "Why'd you ask?"
"Sakurako nee-chan seems pretty down today," Hanako stated, tilting her head to the side. "Nee-chan doesn't look so… cheerful since a couple of days ago, Hanako thinks."
"Hmm…" Sakurako paused as she looked down. "I just had homework to do last night. Nothing much."
That raised an eyebrow on Nadeshiko's face. "You did?"
"Yes," Sakurako replied with a slight nod. "Finished all the query, if you ask."
Nadeshiko really wanted to make sure to see what she said is true because Sakurako is usually able to finish only one goddamn number. But from her current out-of-character behavior, she seemed to be serious about it. Nadeshiko even asked Himawari how she was doing at school yesterday. Himawari's report about Sakurako was rather stunning for Nadeshiko.
"Well…" Nadeshiko then paused for a moment. "Looks like I don't have to check your homework."
"Wha-?" Hanako looked at her eldest sister in surprise. "Are you sure, nee-chan?"
"Don't worry, Hanako," Nadeshiko assured her. "Sakurako seems to be serious about it."
Hanako looked at her with small concern but only nodded. "If you say so, nee-chan."
Their mother eventually served their breakfast on the table—the menu like what Sakurako stated, and drinks of grape milk by the side. The mother eventually sat down next to Nadeshiko and rubbed her hands together.
"Let's eat," the mother said before all clasped their hands together.
"Ittadakimasu!"
Himawari is waiting in front of the Oomuro household. Like her usual routine, she's waiting there to pick Sakurako up from her house before they head out to the school together. Himawari had to wear a dark blue jacket over her school uniform since this bright morning is pretty windy. She didn't have the time to listen to the weather forecast. Well, she doesn't listen to it too often, at least.
Himawari is currently pondering to herself as she waits. Something was really off about Sakurako, especially from what she saw yesterday. For once, she saw Sakurako wasn't loud, overreact, cheerful, does something stupid, and even mad at her yesterday. When it's the time for Sakurako to be grumpy and spat at her for no reason, probably because of Hima's breasts, Sakurako didn't do any of it. Nor even mock or insult her with a single word yesterday. Instead, Sakurako just acknowledges her on that day.
That raised a question to herself. Did something happen to her?
Everything doesn't seem to change much the last time she saw Sakurako cheerful on Sunday morning two days ago. She did ask Nadeshiko when she and Sakurako returned home yesterday evening. Nadeshiko did notice the change but can't really tell why she changed like that. It seems that it was so drastic that Sakurako didn't even bother to leave a piece of single evidence as to why.
Her train of thought has been destroyed once she heard the door of the Oomuro's house opened. Himawari looked over and saw Sakurako with her sisters walking towards her. Himawari smiled to them as she noticed the flat look on Sakurako's face.
"Konnichiwa," Himawari greeted happily with a bow.
"Konnichiwa, Hima-chan," Hanako greeted.
"Konnichiwa, Himako," Nadeshiko's greeted, before turning their heads to Sakurako.
"Ohayou, Himawari-chan," was her reply, and instead of a bow, she waved an open palm to her.
"That's new," Himawari thought, raising both of her eyebrows.
"Looks like you're thinking of something," Sakurako stated, noticing the eyebrows she made.
"It's nothing, really," Himawari lied with a shook. "Ready for school?"
"Pretty much," Sakurako replied with a nod, then she rubbed on one of her eyes.
It took her for three seconds after Sakurako rubbed her eyes to notice the near-visible but small eye bags underneath her eyes.
"Sakurako," Himawari called as she narrowed her eyes and her tone changed a bit harsh. "Did you overslept again?"
Sakurako stares at her for a moment before she sighs. "Didn't think you could notice that."
"Was that because of the homework you worked on last night?" Nadeshiko asked with concern.
Her question did cause Himawari to lean back in surprise. Just don't know if she worked on one query or finished all of it.
"Not really," Sakurako wearily shook.
Hanako began to look irritated, knowing one of her usual things for the night. "You read manga, didn't you?"
Sakurako's mouth shuts tight and raised a little before she slightly shook her head. "I wish I did."
"Eh?" the three simultaneously responded with disbelieve.
"You have trouble sleeping?" Himawari asked curiously.
"I think so," Sakurako nodded. "Just had another nightmare, nothing much than that."
"I see," Himawari paused for a moment as she observed her weary face. "Are you ready for school?"
"I am," Sakurako then waved her arm to her left. "Lead the way."
Himawari then looks at Sakurako's sisters. "We're leaving."
"Be careful on the way, you two," Nadeshiko replied with a nod before they parted ways.
As usual, it didn't take them long to reach their usual route. The same route, the same rail guard, the same rice-filled water scenery, the same destination. They met up with some of their schoolmates. Himawari greeted them with hellos, whereas Sakurako only greeted them with a nod.
Himawari had started to hope that Sakurako will begin to bother her with insults and loudmouth. Yet again, Sakurako never said a word, nor she even so cheerful on this new day. Himawari turns her head behind her since Sakurako is walking on her tail. She could only notice the saturated expression Sakurako had as if she's bored or just upset. Himawari didn't really like the silence they're having now.
She decides to begin a conversation. "Did you finish your homework?"
"I did," Sakurako replied with a nod.
"I mean, did you answered all of the queries in the homework?" Himawari asked with the correct question.
"I answered all of them," Sakurako replied as she rubbed her eyes. "And I didn't ask for any help."
For all Himawari knew, Sakurako might answer all the queries carelessly. "I'll check your homework when we reach our class. I just want to make sure."
"Be my guest," Sakurako replied, only staring forward to the sidewalk.
Himawari then turns her head forward, thinking about what another topic she should talk with her. Ten seconds have passed, and she's still thinking about what topic would be best to talk with her.
"I'm a poor… Wayfaring Stranger…"
That caught Himawari off-guard. Sakurako is singing. Himawari simply turns her head a bit to her left to see her by peripheral vision.
"I'm traveling through… this gloomy world.
Yet there's no sickness, toil, nor danger
In that fair world… at which I go…"
Himawari was just… didn't believe what she heard. If any, that's the first time to hear Sakurako sang an English song, albeit a poetic one. Her singing was… was just beautiful and so profound, somehow. And she has this song grammatically correct. This is one of the rarest moment to see and hear from the supposed cheerful and dumb girl. But Himawari can't help but to think that the song wasn't finished yet.
Himawari only turns her head to her. "I didn't know you can sing a song like that."
"I just like the song," Sakurako admitted flatly. "I was just curious to look for a new song yesterday."
"What's the song called?" Himawari asked with a raised brow.
"Wayfaring Stranger. An American Folk song, I think," Sakurako replied, tidied her brown jacket for the moment. "But, I can't say who sang that."
"You forgot who the singer is?" Himawari asked curiously.
"No, it's because there are a lot of verses of that song," Sakurako replied with a shook. "So it's either I sing one of the verses, or I just sang my own version."
"I see," Himawari then turns her head forward.
Himawari had, to be honest, she enjoyed this kind of Sakurako. Not so loud, not so troubling, not so dumb and confusing. And she even doesn't mention anything about her breasts—kind of a new record in Himawari's account. Despite the silence, she smiled as they both make their way to the school.
Now she'll see how's Sakurako doing at school.
Nanamori Middle School. Lunchtime.
It's the time that everyone waited for, thanks to their grumbling stomachs. And as usual, the students are having lunch inside their respective classes. The menu for today is definitely delicious, that's what Himawari thought. The menus are currently served in the class as the students are taking turns to grab their tray of food. Students that are in the kitchen are happily serving their friends with the food made for today.
The menu for today is according to the following: milk, mixed vegetables, roasted pork in onion sauce, miso soup, and finally rice.
At least, Himawari doesn't have to eat bell peppers.
Nevertheless, Sakurako and Himawari got their tray of food from the students on kitchen duty. For once, Himawari is glad to see Sakurako is not going to eat a lot of food in her tray. Of course, she needs to wonder if she would do the same for Isobeage. Himawari knew whatever behavior she had will revert to her old one.
Both Himawari and Sakurako then make their way to a particular table at the corner of the class. They both sat down together at where Akari and Chinatsu are currently sitting. Trays on the table and noticed Akari and Chinatsu hadn't eaten their lunch yet. All set, they all then clasped their hands together and said a prayer.
"Itadakimasu!"
They began to eat, with Akari already excited with the taste of the port. "Hmm! I like pork!"
"And with onion sauce," Sakurako added, before taking a bite of her pork. "I'm starting to feel bad about the students who had to cut the onions."
Chinatsu raised an eyebrow to her. "And why do you say that?"
"I think they cut for about more than five onions," Sakurako replied with a tilted head. "I hope they didn't flood the kitchen."
"Oh, Sakurako," Himawari sighed at her remark. "They're not cutting more than five onions just to make the sauce."
"But those onions still can itch your eyes, right?" Sakurako curiously asked.
"Well, they do," Himawari nodded to her. "They made me teary, but not that much."
Sakurako just hummed before continuing to eat. "Why not tell Kyouko-senpai to cut five onions for us and see what's her face looks like?"
For once, Chinatsu chuckled at Sakurako's question. Akari looks a bit perplexed as to why she suggested that. But Himawari was a bit surprised to hear that as if Sakurako is merely made an insult against Kyouko.
"That's a nice idea, Saku-chan," Chinatsu agreed with a smirk. "Maybe I should tell her to do that when she's bothering me."
"What was that, Chinatsu-chan?" Akari asked, with her eyes closed in concern.
"Oh, nothing, Akari," Chinatsu replied with a shook.
"Well," Sakurako emotionlessly shrugged. "As long as Yui-senpai is not strangling her."
Chinatsu choked on her food, whereas Akari and Himawari choked on their milk. The three then looked back at her.
"Sakurako!" Himawari called her angrily.
"What?" Sakurako simply replied with raised eyebrows.
"What did you actually mean by that?!" Himawari doesn't like with how she just said.
"Forgive me about that," Sakurako apologized as she stared into her eyes. "But you do know I was being sarcastic, correct?"
"Wha-but-erm, well, yes," Himawari sighed with defeat, before asking her. "But what makes you think Yui-senpai would do something like that?"
Sakurako simply turns her head to Chinatsu and Akari as if she's trying to not being lazy. "Do you know how often Yui hits her on the head?"
"Ah…" Akari and Chinatsu seem to understand that, and Akari replied. "Too much, I guess?"
Himawari just sighed to the answer. "I'm just annoyed that you and Kyouko managed to get along that fast."
"I think that's rather simple, Hima-chan," Sakurako pointed her chopsticks to Himawari before continue to eat. "We are both damnable idiots."
Akari and Chinatsu halt their eating for the moment as they looked back at Sakurako. They had a relatively blank look. While Himawari had a disbelieving look on her face, jaw slightly open and blank stare. And Himawari's body leans a bit away from Sakurako. That's the first time for them to hear her admitting like that. As long as they could remember, Sakurako never admits that she's an idiot. Himawari had a concern if someone had hit her head.
"Wait," Himawari half-opened her palm. "Did you just admit that you're an idiot?"
"I believe I did," Sakurako replied with a nod before she takes another bite of her pork. "Is there a problem?"
Himawari, Chinatsu, and Akari just stare at each other for the moment, before Sakurako asks again. "Anyway, what is the next lesson?"
"Science lesson," Akari replied happily. "Nishigaki-sensei will teach us."
"Our next study is life endangerment?" Sakurako then returned to her tray. "Okay, then."
"Pfft!"
Chinatsu tried to stifle her laugh, whereas Akari looked at her with horror. Himawari looks at her with a mix of shock and surprise, and oh, how priceless her face was. Himawari didn't even blink at the joke. And Sakurako is nearly finished with her lunch.
"What makes you think that our study will be something like that?!" Himawari asked angrily.
Sakurako then countered her question. "Are you sure she's not going to blow the lab again?"
Himawari only winces her eyes at her, but then turns back to her tray with defeat. "Point taken, Sakurako."
Sakurako finished her tray and waited for her friends to finish when Akari wondered. "Did you actually finish your homework by yourself?"
"She did, Akarin," Himawari answered on Sakurako's behalf. "I even checked her work, and all of her answers are correct."
"Wow," Chinatsu amazed, visible from her clear eyes. "You're usually lazy to do homework, Saku-chan."
"Probably because I'm just in the mood to do that," Sakurako replied with a shrug.
"Isn't that a good thing, Sakurako-chan?" Akari asked with her usual happy smile.
"It is," Sakurako agreed with a tilted head. "Especially for Hima-chan."
"Glad to hear that," Himawari agreed to Sakurako as she drank her milk.
"I'll wait for you to finish your lunch," Sakurako said to them, now with a genuine smile.
"Thank you, Sakurako-chan," Akari thanked with a bowed head.
It didn't take them long to finish their lunch before they deposited the trays to the kitchen staff. Now, they're ready for the next lesson.
Science Lab
The students are currently studying in the lab. They have been separated into various groups to study the very same objective given by their teacher. And apparently, Akari, Chinatsu, Himawari, and Sakurako become as a group. They are currently working on their task to differentiate between acid and alkaline—the two famous chemical compounds in our daily lives.
They have been provided with chemicals and items for the task, along with a tool that would help them—some papers and water to differentiate acid and alkaline. And the task will be written down in one of their books. Sakurako volunteered to donate her book to be written for their task, which is then given to their teacher, Nana Nishigaki. That's kind of generous from Sakurako, for what Himawari thought.
Sakurako only watched Akari and Chinatsu doing their task. Sakurako nearly tempted to touch the acid and alkaline; at least she's aware of how dangerous they were. All Sakurako do is only to observe while Himawari is writing in Sakurako's book. And also, Sakurako never said a single word.
Nana Nishigaki happens to come by and observe their task. Nishigaki had also noticed that Sakurako wasn't so noisy as usual. A couple of teachers had told her about Sakurako's out-of-character behavior yesterday. And left her wondering how'd that happen to her.
"How's the task?" NIshigaki asked with her arms crossed and a raised brow.
"We're doing fine, Nsihigaki-sensei," Akari replied happily. "We're trying to check if it's acid."
"Alright, keep doing your job," Nishigaki then turns her attention to Sakurako. "What are you doing there, Sakurako-chan?"
"I'm only observing," Sakurako replied flatly, though she did not turn her head to her teacher.
"Why don't you help them out a bit, Sakurako?" Nishigaki asked, placing a hand on the table and stood next to her.
"Because the only last thing I want is hurt myself from the chemical's properties," Sakurako replied with a tilted head. "And because I don't even know how to handle that kind of task."
"I'm still wondering how you can think straight like that," Himawari added as she stopped writing. "You're usually loud and try to screw things up when we're in the lab."
"I know," Sakurako agreed with a nod. "I already lost the mood to do that."
"I'm not sure it's because you're not in the mood to do that," Chinatsu argued, looking at her with a narrowed eyebrow.
Sakurako just shrugs that off. "Who knows?"
"Hmm, keep on observing then Sakurako," Nishigaku said, now taking her hand off the table. "You've might get your turn to do the task."
Sakurako just hums to her with her eyes trained to the current task, at which something comes up in her mind. Sakurako then turns her head to the teacher.
"Nishigaki-sensei."
"What is it, Saku-chan?" Nishigaki asked, pocketing her hands in her lab jacket.
"You are so good with science," Sakurako stated with a hint of compliment. "Have you ever thought about becoming a scientist?"
"Huh, I'm surprised you ask that," Nishigaki replied as Sakurako's friends and classmates looked at them to listen to the conversation.
"I'm not trying to disrespect you as a teacher, but that kind of job pays well," Sakurako stated with an open palm. "Why did you still want to be a teacher?"
"It's tempting, but it's pretty much because I want to teach and hang out with students like you," Nishigaki happily replied with an open palm pointed to her side. "Which scientist, by the way?"
"Hmm," Sakurako paused for a moment as she thought about it. "Either Engineering Scientist or… Nuclear scientist."
Akari, Chinatsu, and Himawari just stared at her with horror. Nishigaki, on the other hand, looked pretty bright to the question at hand.
"That is a nice question," Nishigaki placed her hand above her hand with her eyes closed, looking like a genius before her students. "If I want to be a scientist, I choose to be a Nuclear Scientist."
"Eh?!" Akari, Chinatsu, and Himawari are somewhat shocked at her answer, whereas Sakurako just stood in silence.
"Really?" Sakurako asked with wonder. "Why Nuclear Scientist?"
"Isn't it so mesmerizing to study how uranium atoms could create such energy unimaginable energy?" Nishigaki asked proudly. "How a process called fission occurred, how great nuclear power is, and how powerful nuclear energy is. And there are even bombs of it made. Hmm, it won't hurt to do a little science about that at school."
Now, this is the point where Sakurako darken her eyes to the answer.
"I'm asking you because I'm wondering. I'm not asking you to re-enact Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings."
That sentence change from fine to 100% legit damnation in a blink of an eye.
All the students in the lab, including her friends, gasped with shock and horror. Nishigaki only looked at her with a priceless face. Her face was pale, mixed with disbelieve, horror, and dismay. Nishigaki wanted to say that Sakurako tried to insult her, but she's sure it's more of the otherwise.
"W-what makes you think I would do something like that?!" Nishigaki snapped to her with her hands on the hip.
Sakurako didn't say anything but instead crosses her arms as she stares at her.
Nishigaki couldn't do much except to sigh with defeat. "It's because I usually blow things up, isn't it?"
"Yes, Nishigaki-sensei."
Now, let me tell you. That was the whole class who responded to her question, except for Sakurako.
"Alright, I think I found another reason why I shouldn't be a scientist," Nishigaki sighed again before looking back to her with a smile. "Alright then, carry on with your job, Sakurako."
"Of course, Nishigaki-sensei," Sakurako nodded before looking back to her observation duty.
Sakurako did notice Akari, Chinatsu, and Himawari still staring at her for the moment, before Himawari asks her. "Do you really have to ask that?"
"I was just curious," Sakurako replied with her soft tone.
"But that doesn't mean you can burn her off like that," Himawari replied, her eyebrows narrowed while her open palms are on the table.
"Why should I burn her?" Sakurako confusingly asked. "She'll be dead if I do that."
Himawari paused, looking at her like a nut-shelling idiot before she shook her head. "I meant that you shouldn't have said something like that to her."
"So you're okay with her doing that kind of experiment?" Sakurako countered, still looking unamused.
Now Himawari was at a bit of a loss on what to say next. "Ara, ara, that's enough, Hima-chan. Let's get back to our task, okay?" Akari told her, trying her best to defuse the situation.
"Alright, if you say so, Akarin," Himawari replied with her eyes closed in defeat, sometimes wondering how Akari is so okay with Sakurako around. "Now, don't do anything stupid, Saa-chan."
"Understandable," Sakurako replied with a nod and continued her job to observe Akari's and Chinatsu's work.
They continue on their task without receiving any disturbance, especially from Sakurako. She didn't even say a single word throughout their task. Chinatsu even felt so glad that Sakurako isn't goofing around, whereas Akari is nearly starting to concern as to why Sakurako hasn't said anything yet. Himawari displays her curious glance at Sakurako again as she writes in the notebook. Sakurako is still true to her words that Nishigaki could chuckle at how focused Sakurako is.
Sakurako's group was the first to finish the job without any interruptions. They did a good job; alas, Sakurako also did a good job just to observe and not screw things up. As the school day progressed, Himawari will keep her eyes on her should Sakurako change her behavior.
Student Council Office. Evening.
Ayano, Chitose, and Rise are currently inside the office. Ayano and Chitose are currently tidying up the papers collected from each class of the school. At the same time, Rise is currently filling out the documents required by the school. Himawari and Sakurako are not in the office yet, but they are currently on the way. Hell, they were already there five minutes after the school day is over.
Ayano and Chitose chat with each other as usual regarding their daily lives. In contrast, Rise had been so silent for the whole time. The office remains undisturbed at this moment. Well, that's until-
"Ayano!"
Ayano quickly stood up and stared at the door. "Toshino Kyouko!"
And as usual, Kyouko just barges into the office, followed up by Yui, who stayed silent and smiled. Kyouko didn't bring any paper in her hand, but probably she's here for something else while Yui watches over her. It's either Kyouko who forgot something or just want to play with Ayano. Probably a bit of both.
"Kyouko, don't barge in like that," Yui reminded her, but Kyouko ignored her.
Kyouko runs up to Ayano, stopping right in front of her and stretches her arms in the air. "Ayanoooo."
"W-w-what is it?!" Ayano stutteringly asked to her crush.
"I forgot to write my name in the paper," Kyouko replied, smirking with her tongue hanging out the left side of her mouth
"O-oh, you're so clumsy, Kyouko-chan," Ayano arrogantly replied, crossed her arms, and proudly raised her head with her eyes closed. "Fine, I'll get the paper for you. B-but because I'm in the mood to do it, alright?"
"Okay, Ayano-chan," Kyouko cheerfully replied with a thumbs up. "By the way, do you have a pudding in the fridge?"
"Eh, NO!" Ayano spat quickly on her face. "That's my Buckingham pudding! I don't have another Dubai in the fridge!"
Yui stifles her laugh at Ayano's random joke. Chitose, Rise, and Kyouko just shrug it off.
"Aw, not even Rum Raisin?" the spoiled kyouko asked, pursing her lips and tilting her head to pretend she's an elementary child.
"Just buy it yourself outside the school," Yui said with annoyance and blank eyes. "Don't bother her about it."
*TOK TOK TOK*
"Konnichiwa."
Everyone then turns their heads to the door. Sakurako is apparently at the open door with Himawari right behind her. She still has her unenthusiastic face displayed to them. They are happy to see them here. But still, they have noticed Sakurako's odd behavior since yesterday.
"Ah, hello, Saa-chan," Chitose greeted with a wave.
Sakurako waves back to her. "Hi, Chitose-chan, Rise-Senpai, Ayano-chan."
Sakurako then diverts her eyes to Yui and Kyouko. "Oh, great. Jehovah's Witness is here."
"Pfft!"
"Hahaha!"
It looks like this might be the first time Ayano and Yui laughed at Sakurako's joke. Ayano and Yui might figure that she has the same taste of humor as them. Chitose and Rise gave a somewhat surprising look to the supposed dumb girl. Kyouko apparently perplexed at the joke and also didn't know what the heck Sakurako is talking about. Himawari, who's right behind her, laughed a bit at the joke.
"Ah, Sakurako, good to see you!" Kyouko just shrugs the previous joke off.
"It's good to see you too," Sakurako said as they enter the office. "I see Yui-sempai hasn't strangled you yet."
"Eh?" that took Ayano, Yui, and Kyouko off-guard, while Chitose and Rise are just startled by the statement.
"Yui's going to strangle me?!" – Kyouko
"Yui's going to strangle her?!" – Ayano
"Hey, don't say something like that," Yui responded, unamused to her statement.
"Oh, I don't know, Yui," Sakurako then sat down in her chair with Himawari next to her. "Chinatsu seems to be happy about it."
Everyone tilted their heads to the response, while Yui tilted her head with dreaded eyes. "Excuse me?"
"Eh hehehe…" Chitose began to sweat with concern as she smiled. "Really?"
"Oh, would you cut it out already, Sakurako," Himawari said as she tidied her bag.
"What do you want me to do, Hima-chan?" Sakurako asked her.
"Just help Ayano-senpai to sort out the documents," Himawari told her.
"Alright," Sakurako simply nodded to her.
"Hey, Saa-chan~," Kyouko called cheerfully. "What's with the long face?"
"Just enjoying my day, Kyouko-chan," Sakurako replied as she took some scattered documents on the table. "You forgot to fill out the name on your paper again?"
"Yes, she did," Yui replied on Kyouko's behalf. "As usual, Sakurako."
Sakurako then halts for a moment as she remembers something. "Oh yeah. Rise-Sempai."
Rise just turns her head to her with a curious look. "Yes?"
"I should tell you to keep an eye on Nishigaki-sensei," Sakurako replied with a raised index finger. "She's starting to have an idea to create Nuclear Energy at school."
Himawari didn't react much, but Yui, Ayano, and Chitose had the most shaded eyes ever. Kyouko and Rise just blankly stare at her with a sweat of disbelieve.
"Wait, why would she wanted to do that?" Rise raised an eyebrow to Sakurako's statement.
"Because I asked her if she wanted to be a scientist someday," Sakurako replied with a shrug. "I guess it was dumb to ask her that."
"I see…" Rise only nodded to her. "Thank you for letting me know."
"Your welcome, Rise-senpai," Sakurako nodded before returning to the task at hand.
Sakurako then lifts her head to notice everyone except Rise is looking at her with confusion. "What?"
"Sakurako, did you understand what Rise-senpai just said?" Chitose asked, frowned her forehead, and raised her eyebrows.
"I'm sorry, you didn't hear what she said?" Sakurako asked, showing the same confusion as them.
"N-no," Yui replied with a shook. "Just whispers, but not words."
"Oh my God," Kyouko became amazed at her. "Do you possess telepathy? How?"
"Hey, I don't think that's it," Ayano disagreed with her question with an irritated face; Yui and Himawari had the same face.
"Did you do something to yourself that you could hear her?" Himawari asked curiously, leaning her head forward as she looked at her.
"I didn't do nothing," Sakurako replied with a shook. "I just heard her clear as day."
"You're not lying?" Ayano asked as she pointed to her.
Sakurako just stares at her, putting her hands on the table. "Guilty as charged."
"Huh," Yui paused for a moment. "Did something happen, Sakurako-chan? You've been like this since yesterday."
"I'm just having a change of mood," Sakurako shook her head, then put her hands onto each other on the table. "Nothing much, Yui-chan. Probably I wanted to avoid the same stupid mistake I did since the previous weekend."
"About the sleepover at your house?" Himawari asked her, which in return, Sakurako nodded to her.
"And you didn't invite us?" Kyouko asked with a pursed dumb lips. "Oh, you're no fun."
"Oi, Kyouko," Yui called with an angry look. "Cut it out."
"What happened during the sleepover?" Chitose curiously asked.
"Akari, Chinatsu, Sakurako, and I played tag at her house," Himawari explained to her. "I was angry at her at that time and chased her down. She destroyed at least almost the entire utilities of her house in order to obstruct me. And she had been grounded."
"I didn't think something like that would change you, Saa-chan," Ayano stated with a smile.
"That's the 'probably' part," Sakurako vaguely replied. "Otherwise, just a change of mood."
"Do you have to be vague about it?" Himawari asked her.
Sakurako turns her head to her, before looking back to the documents in her hand. Sakurako just ignored that question, which frustrates Himawari a bit. But then again, she shouldn't push her too much.
Sakurako then looks up to Yui and Kyouko. "You're heading for the club after this?"
"Eeeyup," Kyouko happily replied. "We'll be playing with wax. Wanna join us?"
Sakurako ponders for a moment before replying. "No, thanks. I think I'll pass."
"Aw," Kyouko fell disappointed.
"Oi, don't bother her. She's still doing her job," Yui then smiled again to them. "We're heading to the club now."
"All right, see you later, Yui, Toshino Kyouko," Ayano happily waved to them.
"See you soon, Ayano-chan!" Kyouko cheerfully responded before she ran out of the office.
"See you, Ayano," Yui replied with a smile and a nod before she then left the office.
Sakurako watched them left, and it seems she made a genuine smile again. It took her for another full minute to finish up sorting out the documents before giving them to Ayano.
"Is that all?" Sakurako asked Ayano.
"That's it. Thanks, Sakurako," Ayano smiled as she thumped the papers straight.
"At least you're being useful for now," Himawari commented with a flat smile.
"Was that an insult or a compliment?" Sakurako asked her, not bother to look at her.
"Hmm…" Himawari pondered for a moment. "An insult one."
Sakurako just sighed. She really didn't care much about it, but it annoyed her heart a little.
"I'm always useless, am I not?" Sakurako asked for everyone as if she's insulting herself.
It's a bit surprising that Sakurako would ask that, and that even Himawari got caught off-guard.
"Wait, Sakurako-" Himawari got cut off by Sakurako.
"Don't say it," Sakurako then paused.
Ayano, Chitose, and Rise stare at her with concern, while Himawari frowned at Sakurako's reaction. It's surprising that Sakurako responded like that. And Sakurako didn't even scream at her if she's annoyed or grumpy. Sakurako just stayed silent.
Sakurako then looked at Himawari again, still frowning. "I'll be heading home pretty late."
Himawari raised an eyebrow to her; that's new. "Why?"
"I needed to go somewhere, Hima-chan," Sakurako replied, turning her head back to the front. "So, I won't be heading home with you for today."
Ayano, Chitose, and Rise never said a word, thinking that Himawari should be the one to ask her. "Are you sure about that?"
"Very," Sakurako assured and blinked once. "It's personal, so don't bother to come with me."
Himawari only stares at her and decides not to push her much. Himawari, instead returns to her task with Sakurako, only sits still in her chair. Although Ayano and Chitose chatted with Himawari and Rise, Sakurako wanted to be out of the conversation. They spend the rest of their time in the office before Sakurako decided to leave first. Saying her farewell to them with a bow before leaving the office.
Now, she's going to visit someone.
Nagibara Middle School's Entrance.
The walk to that particular all-girls school is quiet. Well, tranquil, if she remembered the synonym right. She didn't know where this particular school is. But thanks to her cleverness on using GPS, she found that school with little ease. She had found out that Nagibara School is a bit far from her school. At least, she doesn't have to bother Himawari about this. This trip truly is personal, and she doesn't want to risk bringing Himawari along.
Personally, because she wanted to see a new potential friend, Misaka, is doing okay or not. Doesn't bring Himawari along, as to prevent her from getting to know her secret and what really happened to Sakurako and Misaka, especially knowing it through the conversation that is well concealed.
Sakurako figured the Nagibara school day is over since students are exiting the school. The Nagibara students' uniform consists of dark red skirts, long-sleeve white Serafuku, and long cyan sailor neck-tie. Sakurako could say the girls all look the same as the girls in her school; there are many variants of girls at this school. Sakurako waited by the entrance, hoping that she could see Misaka exits the school. She only leans against the wall at the side of the school's gate as she waits.
Some of the Nagibara students noticed her but eventually ignored her on their way. Sakurako kept her eyes on the students individually. She still can't see her yet. But she sure hoped that her new friend exits the school. Five minutes have passed, and she still can't see her yet.
As those students exit their school, Sakurako caught something that attracts her attention. Two particular students have Student Council arm-bands on their sleeves. Sakurako gets her back off the wall and walks over to them. Sakurako calls them out as she walks.
"Erm, excuse me."
"Oh? Yes, can I help you?"
Sakurako took a good look at the two girls.
One of the girls is taller than Sakurako. The fair-skinned girl has an oval face and a relatively slim body. She has yellow eyes and possesses thin black hair tied into a long ponytail with her front fringe hair swept to the left. This tall girl wears a pair of clear rectangular eyeglasses with a brown frame. Nothing else to note about her except that she has a pink hairpin on her front fringe's left side.
The other one is at the same height as Sakurako. She has fair skin and a triangle-shaped face. Her straight hair was orange-yellowish and at the height of just below her shoulders, but she has a short braid on the right side of her hair. Her body is rather feminine despite her height, and her body looks so petite.
"Can I ask you a question?" Sakurako asked with a raised index finger.
"Sure, what is it?" the black-haired girl replied with a nod.
"I'm looking for someone," Sakurako said with a concerned frown. "Do you know a girl called Misaka?"
"Huh, Misaka?" the orange-yellowish-haired girl asked back. "Do you mean Kirata Misaka-san?"
"I… I can't remember," Sakurako replied hesitantly. "She did say that she's a student council of this school."
"Yes, Misaka-san is a Student Council," the black-haired girl replied with a nod. "Do we know you?"
"No, no, you don't," Sakurako replied with a shook. "My name is Sakurako Oomuro, from Nanamori Middle School."
"Pleased to meet you, Oomuro-san," the black-haired girl replied as she and the orange-yellowish girl bowed. "My name is Saoki Tatsuya."
Then Saoki gestures her hand to the orange-yellowish girl. "And this is Furoda Mitsuzu."
"We're pleased to make your acquaintance," Furoda happily replied.
"I guess I could say the same to you," Sakurako replied with a genuine smile.
"And as for Kirata-san… she's still in the hospital, I'm afraid," Saoki replied with a frown. "We're about to head out to the hospital Kirata-san is in."
'I see," Sakurako trailed off, closing her eyes and sighing to herself to know Misaka is still alive this far.
"How do you know her, by the way?" Furoda asked curiously.
"I met her before, still an acquaintance actually," Sakurako replied awkwardly. "But we had talked together during our trip to the convenience store. But… I don't remember when."
Furoda and Saoki looked at each other for a moment, before looking back at her; Furoda says to her. "I think you should know about what happened to her…"
"I've heard it," Sakurako replied, didn't show much except for her upset face. "I'm glad she survived that shootout at Bakimura Store."
Furoda and Saoki widen their eyes in surprise. "And how did you know that?"
Sakurako didn't say a word, as if she forgets something.
"Oomuro-san?" Furoda asked, starting to get concerned if this new stranger.
"N-nothing," Sakurako shook her head quickly. "I had heard the news that she survived. Nothing more than that."
Both girls raised their eyes in suspicion. But then again, from how she looked, she's pretty harmless and shy. Saoki sighed before giving out a sincere smile to her.
"We're heading out to the hospital," Saoki stated to her. "Wanna come along?"
"Sure," Sakurako nodded. "Lead the way."
They then began their trek to the hospital. Sakurako is walking next to Furoda and Saoki, and her eyes are trained forward. They only noticed that Sakurako only rubbed her left shoulder. They then watched her shrugged to herself, probably she's a bit uncomfortable with her jacket. The two girls took their time to examine Sakurako's uniform. Saoki had to admit, she kinda liked the uniform.
They were already a bit away from Nagibara School, at which Furoda asked her. "You said you're from Nanamori Middle School?"
"Yes, I did," Sakurako replied with a nod, still looking back at her. "I'm one of the Student Council."
"Really?" Saoki asked in surprise. "I didn't know you were a Student Council."
"You must be so diligent to be a Student Council," Furoda commented with a smile.
"Actually, I'm not that diligent," Sakurako admitted with a shook.
"I don't see how come you're not that diligent," Saoki replied with a narrowed brow.
"Actually, the only thing I do as a Student Council is nothing but to be a burden for them," Sakurako admitted emotionlessly. "I barely helped other Student Councils with their jobs, and what I always do at the Student Council Office is only to play and goof around all by myself."
Saoki stared blankly, whereas Furoda disliked her answer, visible from her winced eyes and an agape mouth.
"You're saying that you're lazy as a Student Council?" Furoda asked with dissatisfaction. "Why did you join up as a Student Council in the first place?"
"Honestly… I don't know," Sakurako shrugged as her eyes looked down. "I think I joined up because I hate and jealous of my rival."
Saoki just tightens both edges of her lips to the answer before looking forward. "Not a good way to start a school day."
"Who's this rival of yours anyway?" Furoda asked, glancing a little at Sakurako's face. "I really want to know."
"You're not going to believe this…" Sakurako then paused before taking a deep sigh. "She's my neighbor and my childhood friend."
"Eh?" Furoda and Saoki stopped in their tracks and looked at her with disbelieve. Sakurako also stops in her tracks.
"How did she become your adversary if she's your childhood friend?" Saoki wondered, still disbelieved at her answer.
"Now, I wished I remember how'd that happen," Sakurako replied with her eyes closed and sighed.
The walk to the hospital was fun in Sakurako's perspective. Sakurako really likes these two new strangers. Sakurako never said much, but she had fun to have a conversation with them. Somehow, much better than having a conversation between Himawari and Kyouko.
They exchange talks, especially asking Sakurako on how's her school looks like. Sakurako sincerely answered their questions. And they are even interested in who Sakurako's teachers are. They are also interested in what clubs available at her school. Apparently, they seemed interested in a club called the Amusement Club, an unofficial and supposedly illegal club created by Kyouko Toshino.
Time passes by unnoticed until they finally reached the hospital. Sakurako didn't mind much what hospital this is, apart from being all white. They enter the building with Sakurako trailing behind the two girls. She sees that the hospital's lobby is in harmony, with visitors waiting in their chairs and nurses walking around to take shifts. They reach the reception desk and ask the receptionist about the room Misaka is in. The receptionist tells them that Misaka is on the third floor, room 89.
Saoki nodded to Furoda and Sakurako and finally led them to the nearby elevator. Saoki presses the button before the elevator doors open up, and people exit the lift. Saoki, Furoda, and Sakurako then enter the elevator and apparently the only people to take the lift up to the third floor. Sakurako instinctively presses the button on the left side of the doors. Before the elevator closes up and steadily make its ascend to the third floor.
The girls awkwardly stood together in the middle of the lift. Their eyes awkwardly looked around them as Sakurako felt indifferent to the jazz music inside the lift. It took more than 15 seconds to reach the third floor finally and the doors opened up. They then exit the elevator and walk down the hallways toward the specified room. Sakurako keeps her eyes left and right as Saoki and Furoda chat a bit on the way. Sakurako found the room they're heading for on their right.
"Room on our right," Sakurako told them, motioning them to look to their right as well.
"This is it," Saoki said before looking through the small window on the door. "Yep, it's Misaka-chan."
"Nice, let's get in," Furoda said with a smile before they entered the room.
"Misaka-chan!" Furoda and Saoki greeted aloud, which caught Misaka off-guard in her patient bed.
"Saoki, Furoda!" Misaka called back, clearly so happy to see them here. "I'm glad you're here!"
"And I'm glad you're still doing well too," Saoki said as she and Furoda stood right beside the bed, while Sakurako awkwardly made her way to the bed. "Oh, also, I brought someone that you might know."
"Who is it?" Misaka asked with a raised brow.
At which, Sakurako presents herself in between the girls. "Konnichiwa, Kirata-san."
"S-Sakurako?!" Misaka was so surprised that she got her back off the bed slightly. "I'm happy to see you're still alive!"
Sakurako instinctively and quickly puts an index finger in front of her mouth, alarmed at her words. Saoki and Furoda leaned their heads back with widening eyes, expressed their hums before turning their heads to Sakurako. It takes Misaka for about two seconds to realize what she had just said before expressing her clumsiness. Saoki and Furoda stare at Sakurako with such suspicion and surprise.
It was a good thing she didn't bring Himawari along.
Saoki and Furoda looked back at Misaka again, with Saoki asks. "W-wait, what did you mean by that?"
"Umm…" Misaka awkwardly replied, still staring at Sakurako with her indifferent expression. "Oops?"
Saoki and Furoda then look back at Sakurako again, and this time Furoda insists on her. "Care to explain to us what's going on here?"
Sakurako didn't say much but instead looks back to Misaka. "I don't know if I should tell them."
Misaka stares at her for a moment, before sighing. "Don't worry, they're my friends. You can trust them."
"Are you sure?" Sakurako asked with uncertainty. "I just don't want…"
Sakurako trails off the end of the sentence, but then Misaka continues. "Well, I think it's a bit too late for that. I didn't realize I said that."
Sakurako sighs and closes her eyes with defeat. "I guess so…"
Saoki and Furoda are already concerned about the conversation, but they need to satiate their curiosity. "What is this about, Oomuro-san?"
Sakurako turns her head to her left instead of answering them. Sakurako grabs the chair on her left and sits down next to the bed. Sakurako raised her head to the two standing girls, at which they decided to grab their own chairs and sat down. Sakurako raised her eyelids, probably to make sure she's not sleepy yet. Sakurako looked at the door and her surroundings to make sure there are no one else around before looking at them.
"Promise me to keep our secret," Sakurako said, leaning her back against her chair. "Don't tell it anyone else."
Saoki and Furoda look at each other in concern, before looking back to Sakurako. "Alright, we promise," Saoki replied with a nod.
"Good…" Sakurako sighed with relief. "I'll tell you…"
The three girls keep staring at Sakurako to hear the secret. "The truth is… I saved Misaka."
Saoki and Furoda widen their eyes with shock. They are also disbelieved of her secret. Misaka only smiled at her with gladness.
"Wha- you've got to be joking!" – Saoki
"You saved her!?" – Furoda.
"That's right," Misaka nodded. "She was at the shootout in Bakimura Store with me."
"Really?!" Furoda asked Sakurako, looking at her with beaming eyes. "You were there?!"
"I was there," Sakurako replied, frowning at the question. "We barely survived that shootout."
"How did you save her, Oomuro-san?" Saoki asked as she leaned forward at Sakurako.
"I found her wounded and lying on the floor while I tried to escape from the shootout," Sakurako replied, stretching her neck for a moment. "I ran over to her and dragged her out from the store as fast as I can. Then I hid her at the warehouse before I left."
"Wait, you left her?" Saoki asked, the last sentence caught her and Furoda off-guard. "Why?"
"Well…" Misaka paused, answering on Sakurako's behalf. "She didn't want anyone to found out what she did."
"What? Misaka-chan, what are you talking about?" Furoda asked, perplexed to the answer.
"I killed someone."
Saoki and Furoda quickly looked at her, shock revealed through their widen eyes and agape mouths.
"You… what?" Furoda paused as Saoki began to show her fear against Sakurako. "You're serious."
"I killed two people, actually," Sakurako added, upset to herself, especially when she said it. "I didn't have much choice."
"Hang on," Saoki opened her palm to her. "Who did you kill?"
Sakurako thought for a moment for consideration before replying to her. "Two criminals out of the five."
It is such amazement for them to hear a Middle School Girl like her killed two adult criminals. Not forget to mention that they've heard that all of the criminals were using firearms.
Saoki crosses her arms on her lap. "How did you kill them?"
Sakurako frowned her eyes at the question before looking away to Misaka. "I don't want to talk about it."
Saoki seems to understand why, but Furoda insists on her. "Oomuro-san, please tell us how did you kill them."
"Furoda-chan, please," Misaka advised, knowing that Sakurako was distasteful to answer it.
"No, no, it's fine. I'm just…" Sakurako paused for a moment as she took a sigh, the girls only looked at her with concern. "If you really want to know how then I'll tell you."
"So? How did you kill them?" Furoda asked again, and Saoki swore she would shut her again if she asked this again.
Sakurako looked down for a moment before replying. "I killed the first one with a pencil."
The girls, especially Misaka, then deadpanned at her. They are having a hard time how the heck Sakurako killed an adult man like that. It makes sense if Sakurako killed a man with a knife, but a pencil?
"No, no way. You're joking, right?" Furoda asked back to her as she's pointing at her.
Sakurako only stared at her without a word and gave nothing much than an unamused look. "Oh, you're serious…" Furoda finally admitted with widening eyes.
"As for the other one…" Sakurako paused as she looked down before looking up to Furoda. "I shot him when he tried to kill an employee before I dragged Misaka out the store."
Saoki and Furoda still cannot cease their amazement at her answer. But they could see that Sakurako is still distasteful about it. They can understand how she's feeling for killing two people in a day for the first time. As they stayed silent, Saoki seemed to remember one detail from the news she had heard previously. Specifically, the ones she heard on the TV.
"Wait, Oomuro-san," Saoki raised her two fingers in the air. "Did you, by chance, steal a gun during the shootout in the store?"
That caught Sakurako off-guard but managed to stifle her surprise save for a raised eyebrow. "I…"
"You did, Sakurako."
Saoki and Furoda turned their heads to Misaka, looking startled by the reply. "Wait, you knew?" Saoki asked her with a high tone.
"I didn't see you holding the gun, Oomuro-san," Misaka replied as she looked at Sakurako. "But after I saw you shot one of them at the store and heard that one of the dead shooters lost his gun, I knew you took it, Sakurako."
Sakurako sighed with defeat, with her eyes wearily closed. "Yes, I stole a pistol. Along with two extra magazines."
"And you're still keeping them around?!" Furoda asked in concern and nearly aloud. "What for?"
"I don't know," Sakurako frustratingly admitted, shook her head, and looked down. "I just don't know."
Misaka opens her palm at her friends, signing them to give her a break. Sakurako takes a couple of deep sighs and even lifts her head to stretch her stressful neck. Sakurako already looked so frustrated, and they now noticed the small bags she had under her eyes. Sakurako finally takes another deep breath to puffs out her chest before she breathes it out.
"I think I'm just afraid if something happens," Sakurako admitted, but she clearly meant she had no idea what freaks her out. "I can barely sleep peacefully last night just to think about it. I just had nightmares for a couple of nights, and it feels like there's something else bothering me… and I just don't know what."
Misaka couldn't feel anything more but full of pity towards Sakurako. She observed her weary face as Sakurako's eyes blankly stared forward. They know Sakurako must've been traumatized despite that she somehow maintains her composure. And she's paranoid for keeping a stolen weapon around.
Misaka sighs through her nose. "It must be hard for you."
Sakurako shook her head slowly to the response. "I saw you dead, Misaka."
Misaka, Furoda, and Saoki stare at her with frowned eyebrows. "What are you talking about, Oomuro-san?" Misaka asked in confusion.
"I saw you dead in my nightmares, Misaka," Sakurako admitted as softly as she can.
Sakurako seems to fidget, taking quick sighs as she rubs and covers her mouth uncomfortably before continuing with a gentle voice. "You were dead… along with other dead people I remembered from that store. You were shot, dead, and lying over a pool of blood among the others inside my house. I saw your eyes and the others', and… I wished I could scream to see them, to see you already dead."
Sakurako begins to tear up and sniffles. Sakurako decides to look away, unable to look at Misaka for much longer. They felt their hearts ache just to hear every word of her nightmare. Misaka's hands already felt cold just to hear that she saw her dead in her nightmare. She could barely remember if Sakurako is childish, but to see her talk like this was… what was the word? It was eerie, to say the least.
"And the next thing I know was… my younger sister was there. She almost saw those dead people," Sakurako paused for a moment to ease herself. "Before I saw a pistol out from the corridor and tried to shoot at my sister."
They all were at a loss for words, and they didn't even dare to say a word until Sakurako could calm down. Misaka could only still stare at her unseen face, sharing the same sorrowful look Sakurako had. Saoki and Furoda looked away from her as to not discomfort her from how they look at her. Do you know how woeful it is to just listen to her words?
Misaka then lies her back onto the back, still looking at Sakurako. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
Sakurako didn't reply but instead nods at her.
Saoki looked so concerned for her that she needed to fix her glasses. "You okay, Oomuro-san?"
Sakurako decides to turn her head to her but gives a shrug as a reply.
They continue to stare at her as Sakurako awkwardly looks down at herself. "Can't believe I'll be here to talk to you about this as a stranger."
"Sakurako-chan," Misaka called with a sincere smile. "You're not a stranger for me."
"You barely know me," Sakurako stated as a fact.
"But you saved me," Misaka responded softly. "For me, you're more of a friend than a stranger. Maybe we can get to know each other someday."
Sakurako looks at her for a moment to consider it, before looking at Saoki and Furoda. "Are you both fine about this?"
Saoki and Furoda nod with a bright smile. "Well, why not?" Furoda asked, gesturing her open palm to her side.
Sakurako finally made a genuine smile as she wiped the last tears she had on her eyes. "Alright, you want to trade your contacts with mine?"
"Sure," Saoki then pulled out her phone from her pocket. "I can send our contacts to you. We just need your number."
"Alright then," Sakurako nodded as she pulled out her phone. "Giving you my number."
"And Oomuro-san," Misaka called, which Sakurako turned her head to her. "Is it okay if we call you Sakurako-chan?"
"I'm fine with it," Sakurako replied with a nod. "You can call me Saa-chan if you want."
"Alright then, Saa-chan," Misaka replied with a nod. "I'm glad to get to talk with you."
"Likewise, Misaka-chan," Sakurako replied with a nod.
Sakurako finally enjoys the rest of the evening at the hospital to talk with her great new friends. And thankfully, they're not as annoying as Kyouko. Sakurako has a lot of fun to talk with them, but she didn't really talk much, though. They all finally leave the hospital around late evening, at which they said their farewell to Misaka. Sakurako then finally part ways with Saoki and Furoda once they exit the hospital. Sakurako then finally her walk home peacefully inside the empty and peaceful road.
And now, she'll prepare for the next day.