Itsuki was anxious, she was standing in front of her cram school. As the other students greeted her and went inside, she stayed outside. It wasn't until there were only a couple of minutes left when she began walking forward.
Itsuki:[If I don't go inside, I'll be late, but…]
She was still scared to see Shimoda. On that day, when she made herself clear that she wouldn't become Rena, Shimoda's pained look stuck with Itsuki.
Itsuki:[I meant everything I said, but that doesn't mean it's not gonna be awkward!]
Itsuki looked to the clock once again.
Itsuki:[Just a minute left...Agh! And after I told Uesugi-kun I'd be fine on my own!]
She then punched her legs and forced herself inside. She kept her eyes mostly closed so as to not accidentally see anyone in the corner of her eye. But as she sat down, she didn't see Shimoda anywhere. As the hours passed, Itsuki realized that she simply wasn't there that day. The class when she would normally see Shimoda came and went, simply labeled as Free Study. Once the final class finished, she made her way to the front door.
Itsuki:"She didn't quit, did she?"
But not a second passed after she opened the door that she went head first into someone's chest. Itsuki looked up to see the very person she was thinking about. The same shark tooth woman with glasses jumped back in surprise.
Shimoda:"Ah!"
Itsuki:[I just had to open my mouth!]
Before Shimoda could speak, Itsuki sped away. Itsuki noticed the top of her head was blonde, but her slight curiosity was trumped by her desire to get out of there.
Shimoda:[...]
Shimoda looked at Itsuki walking away. She thought back to what had happened.
Shimoda:[She really is...]
Itsuki was almost out of ear shot when she heard a yell.
Shimoda:"I'm so sorry for everything, Itsuki!"
It was only a few seconds before she couldn't see Itsuki anymore. As she sighed, Shimoda entered the school.
"Why weren't you here today!?"
Shimoda:"I apologize, I had some unfinished business."
"Don't do it again or your pay will suffer!"
Shimoda:"Of course."
After the scolding was over, she returned to her class to begin afternoon classes.
Shimoda:[My behaviour was...unacceptable. I don't blame her if she never forgives me.]
…
Itsuki kept walking. Before long, it was clear that she didn't plan out where to go as long as it was away from Shimoda. Once she stopped, she looked around and noticed that a certain place wasn't too far.
Itsuki:[Haha, even though my sense of direction is subpar, of course I would come here by nature.]
Itsuki was close to the cemetery her mother was buried at. She looked at the time.
Itsuki:"It'll get dark soon...But I still want to go. I'll just grab a taxi back."
…
Itsuki was let in through the gates and walked to where her mother was.
Itsuki:[I used to come here every month, but...the last time I came with my sisters…]
Itsuki thought about the argument the girls had about Ichika's departure.
Itsuki:[No, even before that...I stopped coming here. The last time I came alone…]
She was now in front of Rena's grave.
Itsuki:"...Was when I was preparing for finals last year. Has it really been almost a year?"
Itsuki kneeled down and began to pray.
Itsuki:"I'm sorry for not coming, mom. The way I was acting made me scared to come here alone. I was worried that you would scold me for trying to become you. For as much as you were gentle with us, your voice when teaching us a lesson really showed us you didn't mess around...Especially when I…"
{"Stop being selfish and eat the damn food!"}
Itsuki:"I've made tons of mistakes. Uesugi-kun was certainly right when he said I was nothing but an idiot. But, it's thanks to him and my sisters that I can look forward, even if it meant taking my past screw ups head on."
Once itsuki finished praying, she noticed the offerings on the grave. Different assortments of flowers, Roses, Lilies, Gardenias, a single Daisy. But what caught her eye was a letter that seemed to have fallen out of its original spot.
Itsuki:"I should fix this before the wind takes it away."
Upon grabbing it, she noticed the words on the envelope.
[Goodbye, Rena.]
Itsuki:[This handwriting...It's…]
Itsuki smiled before putting the letter in a secure place.
Itsuki:"This letter isn't for me, it's for 'Rena'. And nothing will change that."
With time, she left the cemetery and called for a ride back. On her way back home on taxi, Itsuki pulled out her phone and went to her messages. She stared at the number of unread messages Shimoda sent her on that day in a desperate attempt to bring Itsuki back.
…
Shimoda got a text message on her phone. As she saw who the sender was, she almost dropped her phone in confusion. She hesitated before opening the message, expecting an essay berating her. But what it said surprised her.
[Why is the top of your head yellow?]
Shimoda:"...Huh?...Huh!?"
Shimoda ran out of the classroom and hurried to the bathroom to confirm this.
Shimoda:"Ah, crap! I didn't even notice! How careless of me…"
…
Itsuki got a message back after a few minutes.
[I'm a natural blonde. I dyed it black to seem more professional.]
Itsuki:"I see."
She responded, in which Shimoda texted back. They continued to talk for a bit before Itsuki got a message from another sender. It was Fuutarou.
[Did everything go well? You didn't have problems with that woman?]
Before she even finished reading it, Itsuki started to laugh.
[Haha, are you our father?]
[I was just asking!]
Itsuki smiled.
[Everything is fine now. Thank you for your concern.]
Itsuki was about to hit send but she kept typing.
[And thank you for everything. I'm so glad you're my friend.]
Upon sending, she muted Fuutarou for an hour with a blush scattered over her face.
Itsuki:"What an embarrassing thing to send someone!"
Itsuki looked out to see the starry night above. The finals were fast approaching.
End of Chapter 127