"Himawari, you're my best friend, and I'm so sorry for taking you for granted. I… I love you, Himawari!"
NOPE. There was no way I was saying that last part. Miraculously, I had arrived at school with almost five minutes to spare before the start of homeroom. As I made my way to class, I was practicing what I would say to Himawari. My heart was racing, like a schoolgirl about to confess to her crush. God dammit, now I'm imagining myself confessing my love to her. Get out of here, weird thoughts about my best friend!
"Ah, Sakurako-chan!"
"Good morning, Sakurako!"
Before I knew it, I was at the door to our homeroom. The voices calling out my name belonged to Akari and Chinatsu, respectively.
"Hiya!" I said with a smile, happy to see some friendly faces.
Akari, as polite as ever, opened the door for us to enter. As I walked in, my eyes immediately went to Himawari's desk. And there she was, sitting there, oblivious to my anxious approach.
Some girl I had never seen before.
"Hey, who the heck are you?" I growled at the mystery girl as I sat down at my desk.
"Sakurako-chan!" said Akari in a worried tone. "That's Rin-chan! She's in our class!"
"But she's in Himawari's seat!"
Rin turned to face us. She was a petite, rather generic looking girl with black hair, brown eyes, and glasses. Definitely a non-essential character.
"Hello everyone. Sorry for the confusion. Furitani-san asked me to switch seats with her for the week. We already got Sensei's permission."
"WHAT! I need to talk to her though!"
"SAKURAKO." bellowed our homeroom teacher. "Lower your voice!"
"Sorry!" I yelped, retreating to my desk in shame.
As I sat down, I scanned the room for Himawari. It was so strange for us to not be side-by-side. It was making me queasy.
"Sakurako. Did something happen between you and Himawari? Why is she sitting up there today?" asked Chinatsu.
With Chinatsu's hint, I finally found her. That familiar dark-blue hair and brown hair band. She was sitting in the top right corner of the classroom, literally as far away from me as possible.
Ignoring Chinatsu's question, I stood up to go and apologize to my best friend. But before I could take a single step:
BRRRING. BRRRING. BRRRING.
" Alright class, let's get started with today's lessons!"
Fine. Just you wait, Himawari. There's no way you won't forgive me after I deliver my super special Sakurapology!
"Ugh…"
My mood was sour as I started to pack up my things. The last class of the day had ended, and I still hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Himawari. At the end of every period she would sprint out the door. How could such a large and clumsy girl be so evasive?
"Sakurako-chan! Chinatsu-chan and I are going to our clubroom." said Akari.
"Huh? Okay, see you guys tomorrow!"
Suddenly, Akari grabbed my hands in hers. She looked at me, violet eyes filled with determination.
"Sakurako! I know that the two of you will make up!"
"Akari…"
She flashed a warm, caring smile my way before heading out the door with Chinatsu. First Hanako, now Akari. Today would have undoubtedly been the worst day of my life if they weren't supporting me. I dozed off in so many lectures, got yelled at by three of my teachers. I forgot my lunch money and had to eat crackers and half a cup of Akari's pudding. And all this homework that got assigned today… I really needed to apologize to Himawari. Luckily, there was no way she could avoid me now. She and I were both on the student council; goody-two-shoes Himawari would never miss a student council meeting!
"You're kidding me, Sugiura-senpai!"
"Unfortunately no, Oomuro-san. Furitani-san came to school early and finished her share of the paperwork. She told me she had somewhere to be after school."
Sugiura's words hit me like a train. I sank so far into my chair that I almost slid out of the bottom. It was always the four of us in the student council room: Sugiura, Ikeda, Himawari, and me. She was so insistent on not seeing me that she was skipping student council duties?
"Don't look so glum, Oomuro-san!" said Ikeda. "I'm sure she'll be back tomorrow."
"I hope so…"
Slumped in my chair, I watched lazily as Sugiura straightened out the pile of papers she had finished going over. I barely noticed as she turned her face towards me.
"Oomuro-san, aren't you going to get started on those club budget request forms?
"Eh? Yeah, of course!"
I picked up the form on the top of the pile closest to me, and stared blankly at it for several minutes. What did all of these numbers mean? Usually Himawari would explain the numbers on the form, and then I'd sign off on it with a large and elaborate signature. That's how governance works, right?
"Um…"
"Yes, Oomuro-san?" my upperclassmen replied in unison.
My face turned red with embarrassment.
"What am I supposed to do with these forms again?"