Ch.2, Concerned Allies...

Ayumu put his headphones back on as he walked to the park. He just zoned out and his feet just led him to his destination. Son enough he arrived and sat down on the bench where he always met Hiyono, and he now waited for her to show up.

Hiyono dashed down the streets knocking into plenty of people and getting yelled at by them and others, but she didn't care. Since a little while before she had called Ayumu she had been having a bad feeling but she didn't know what about at first but now she did know, she knew it had to be about Ayumu. She wasn't sure why but she knew he was in trouble or was going to be. 'Does it have to do with why he cant seem to sleep or eat?' She wondered. 'Is it something else? Is it both?' She was frustrated that she didn't have the answers because she wanted to help! She didn't want a friend getting hurt... and especially not Ayumu.

After running almost the whole way, Hiyono arrived at the park and found Ayumu on the same bench as usual. She leaned forwards a bit and had her hands behind her back. She smiled happily. "Hey there!" She said sweetly.

He looked up and snapped back into reality. He took off his headphones and simply replied. "Yo..." His voice was still nonchalant like usual and so was his expression.

Hiyono smiled again and sat down next to him. The cherry blossoms were still in bloom and the petals slowly danced from the sky. It was like it was raining or snowing petals. Everything smelled so nice. Hiyono looked at him worried.

Ayumu did look a bit weak and his complection was a bit pale as well. Ayumu saw she was staring at him differently and he knew it was in worry and/ or pity. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that huh?"

Hiyono blushed, blinking a few times. "Uhm... sorry its just... you really don't seem like yourself Ayumu... and I'm worried." She explained.

"Don't be... there's no reason." He said, staring off into space it seemed.

"What! How can I not be worried! You said you're not sleeping and barely eating! Your body could break down on you and you could get really sick Ayumu! Really sick!" Hiyono was flustered by what he had said.

"Its not like I'm choosing to do this Hiyono. I'll be fine anyway."

"Ayumu how can you be so sure! You cant predict what's going to happen to your body or what it is going to do to you!"

Ayumu really was staring out into space now. He was listening to Hiyono although he wasn't acting like it.

Hiyono noticed and grew even angrier. "ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!" She screamed.

He flinched as she yelled and shut one eye. He rubbed his ears and whined. "Owww... I'm listening... I'm listening..."

"I'm not sure you are..." she growled.

"I was okay? I heard every word you said whether you want to believe me or not... yet... I'm fine... except... now my ears are ringing..." He complained.

"You more than deserved it!" She retorted. "I'm just worried about you Ayumu..."

"Don't be! How many times do I have to say it! Now... do you want to do something or not?" He asked standing up. He looked up at the sky watching the faint white clouds pass through the deep, strong, blue sky.

Hiyono watched him as a small breeze blew, making the trees and branches rustle. She was so worried about him. She stared, deep into his mysterious, brown eyes, trying to find his hidden emotions. For a moment she thought she saw weakness, vulnerability, fear, and fatigue but almost as soon as she saw it, hidden deep inside, they seemed to be hidden somewhere else. So that they maybe couldn't be found again, after he saw how worried she really was for him, he didn't want to make it worse. She got up and stood by him, still looking deep into his eyes. "Yeah... can we just... walk through the park for now? Its a really nice day today but if you don't want to..."

"No... its fine. A walk sounds just fine..." He faintly smiled trying to give her some sense of reassurance even if... it wasn't really true. He didn't want her to worry nor Madoka.