The two of us stood opposite each other in the classroom otherwise devoid of life. The bright artificial lights above us drowned out the naturally fading sunlight outside the windows.

"Is this the extent of your hope?"

Such a question would sound normal coming from me. My obsession with hope was well-known among my classmates. However, I was not the one to utter this question; rather, one of my most important sources of hope, the girl who brought my whole class together was the one to inquire.

It sounds strange coming from her, but who am I to judge? I'll just have to answer to the best of my ability.

Spreading my arms, welcoming her to listen, I began my explanation. "For trash like me to dream of hoping for more, I would have to be insultingly ungrateful. I already have a wonderful class full of talented students. I already am able to spend time with them. I already have been surrounded by them; eaten with them; played games with them; and now, I have taken action in order to protect them when they are most vulnerable. So, to answer your question: Yes, this is the extent of my hope! I did this to give them enough time to return from their sorrow and continue on, shining like the beacons of hope that they are!"

Silence engulfed the room, icy yet somehow calm.

I hope my answer was clear enough. I think I expressed myself well, but why is she being quiet?

And then, "Your feelings are enough. Your desire to protect us is comfort enough. You didn't have to go that far." A shaky smile appeared on Chiaki's face; a telltale sign of the strength and kindness she wanted to portray despite becoming unable to maintain the upturn of her lips for long.

She must be forcing herself to be nice to someone as worthless as me. Maybe I should explain more?

I sighed, "I didn't intend to have an abnormally large puppy attack them. That was out of my control."

Her smile disappeared in an instant.

"No, you only planned to blow them up with bombs. Isn't that right?" What sounded like a calm voice at first had an edge to it, an angry sarcasm dripping from the words like venom so strongly he almost felt paralyzed.

I ignored the nagging sense that I should back down, answering confidently, "Yes. That's right."

"How can you be so calm when your actions could have caused more pain and despair than what we already had?! You could have hurt someone! … You could have been hurt!" The class representative's voice broke, delayed panic starting to set in.

How kind of her to worry for everyone. She truly is a beacon of hope!

I smiled, walking closer to Chiaki's desk and took a seat. "I understand your concern for the judges and students, but my ultimate luck all but guaranteed their safety. Everything was fine! And, even if that good luck protecting them turned into bad luck for me, I'd have been fine paying for it with my life!"

A loud crack sounded in the otherwise quiet classroom. Clutching my stinging face in confusion, I turned back to look at my classmate. A silent question filled the air.

Backing up to sit at her desk, she whispered hoarsely "... You're an idiot, you know. How can you smile while you act like your life means nothing? How can you say that you would be fine dying?!"

Ah, I knew she understood how awful I am, but hearing her say I'm an idiot somehow hurts.

"I guess I can add 'idiot' to the list of things that make me trash."

Seeming to find her voice again, she screamed in frustration, "Aaaargh! That was not my point! Can you not put yourself down for just one conversation?"

Confusion overtook me, "I think I'm missing something here. Why are you so upset? Noone was hurt. I'm being suspended indefinitely, but everyone else gets to have their exams delayed. Everyone wins now!"

"No, not everyone wins." Chiaki's words were quiet again, her face downturned.

I looked over to the desk the class rep was leaning over, noticing a few droplets on it.

"Are you… crying?"

Oh no! I've upset her!

Sniffling a little, her shaky voice replied, "Do you want me to say 'yes, I'm crying because I was worried sick about my friend and now I won't be able to see him for who knows how long?'"

Slightly perturbed at her sarcasm, I responded, "No, I'm not asking for a specific answer. I just want to know the truth behind your tears. Was one of your friends caught up in my meddling?"

"Listen to what I'm saying." She took a shuddering breath.

"Okay, i'll listen," I said, preparing myself for an explanation of how I am an awful person who couldn't do anything other than cause despair despite my best intentions.

"I'm crying because I was worried sick about you and now I won't be able to see you for who knows how long!"

"Wait, you changed some of the words from before, but why? I said I'd listen."

Rather than receiving a verbal response this time, Chiaki moved over to where I was sitting across from her, causing me to flinch. I expected another slap across the face. Instead, she leaned forward, gingerly wrapping her arms around me and began to sob quietly. Her words were riddled with hiccups and sniffles as she spoke.

"I'm afraid to lose you. I don't want you to go away. I want you to stay with everyone! You're one of my precious friends!"

I don't understand what she's saying… Why should she be unhappy about me leaving on suspension? If all my presence does is cause trouble for everyone, then why…? Why is she calling me her friend? She can't possibly mean it...

I hesitated, then rubbed her back in soothing motions, unsure of what else to do. My thoughts were a puzzle that I couldn't solve. After a while, she seemed to calm down a bit.

"Ugh, my throat hurts now." Chiaki winced as she retracted one embracing arm to put her hand to her neck.

Yet another pain I've caused her… She probably just used the word "friend" on accident because she was so upset. Surely, she meant to say "classmate".

"I'm sorry for not realizing before how my plan might negatively impact everyone. If it's alright with you, could I at least take responsibility for your throat pain and get you some hot lemonade? Adding honey to hot lemonade usually works when I'm sick and have a sore throat."

I paused, frowning at the hand she held to her throat, "Then again, yours was caused by shouting too much when you're usually very quiet. I guess a home remedy for sickness might not work the same for yelling, but it's worth a shot, right? With any luck, it could work!"

The class rep simply nodded her consent.

I sighed in relief.

At least she doesn't seem completely disgusted by me. I thought for sure that she would refuse to be anywhere near me after all this. How lucky I am to have someone as amazing as her stay by me! Perhaps, I can even hope for her forgiveness? No, such a thing would be asking too much.

"I'm not… done… talking… yet." She said painfully as she stood up.

"Please don't try to talk while your throat still hurts," my arms gently gripped her shoulders and turned her to face me. "I know i'm in trouble, but more importantly, I need to help you feel better. That way, you can lecture me properly, okay? Ah, I feel so lucky to have you care enough to lecture someone as worthless as me!"

Chiaki opened her mouth to say something. Likely to tell me I'm not worthless. She really is the nicest.

Interrupting her before she could even say a single word, I started leading the way. "Follow me. I know it might be an inconvenience, but the cafe I know is a bit far. They have the best lemonade, and I'm sure they'd be willing to serve it hot!"

A sudden warmth engulfed my hand. Looking back, I saw both of Chiaki's small hands grasping one of my own. I almost couldn't hear the quietest of whispers leave her.

"Thank you."