CHAPTER THREE

It had taken Nico awhile to reach the building where the meeting was taking place, but seeing a banner announcing the meeting helped her. She entered and noticed only the elderly were there, including the old woman that had discovered the body.

A twinge of guilt went through Nico as she tried to find a seat. Placing her purse down, she scanned the area for the "refreshments" – it was mostly veggies and crackers, some juice and water. And a small plate of cookies that Nico quickly gravitated towards.

"Ah! Yazawa-san, right?" Nico turned, a cookie peeking out of her mouth. "Hmm?" It was the red-haired girl. Nico hurriedly ate the cookie and turned to the girl, her hand awkwardly outstretched. "H-Hello, I mean, good evening!" The girl took her hand and shook firmly. "I see you found the free food." She quipped, smiling.

Nico smiled and laughed. "Haa, well, you know, college students and all that."

The girl perked up. "You're a college student? May I ask which institution?"

Nico gulped. "Its uh, nearby here, its Waseda."

The girl nodded. "Ah, I've heard good things. I myself go to TWMU. I'm working on an internship here at Nishiknono."

Nico nodded, not trusting her voice. The girl suddenly raised her arm, looking at her wristwatch. "Oh, the meetings about to start. I'll have to go. I look forward to your questions, Yazawa-san!" She quickly walked away, going towards the podium.

Nico took another cookie before sitting. The girl was incredibly formidable – Nico herself always dreamed of being a doctor but her grades said no. Plus she didn't exactly have the aptitude nor the attitude for the job. More importantly, she wished she could talk to the girl like any other girl in her classes. But Nico knew, on a strange hunch, that this girl was unlike any other.

Maki tested the microphone and began to talk. "Hello, welcome to our meeting. I would like to thank everyone that came and I am grateful that you were able to." She cleared her throat then. Nico wondered if this girl ever got nervous.

My name is Maki Nishikono and this project is of my own creation. I am currently studying at Tokyo Women's Medical University and interning at my parent's hospital. While my father is an accomplished surgeon, my pursuits are concentrated on mental and emotional health. Which is not to say that this whole project is simply a way for me to gain more credits – I genuinely want to help everyone who was affected by this accident. Japan has a high suicide rate that is largely ignored. I want to help with it, lessen it if I can. And to start with, I want to help those around me. Thank you very much."

Everyone clapped, not for politeness, but for her. Nico never clapped for anyone, she usually did two short ones and waited for the event to go on with. But…this speech, as short as it was, was incredibly compelling. Maybe it was the girl's natural charm, her bright voice or speech; whatever it was, Nico was willing to do whatever it took to help her with her goal.

At the time, she didn't know that this simple admiration and faith would turn into something more.

The rest of the meeting was a brief summary of the project's goals, specifications and a question-and-answer session. Nico, as promised, asked one question: "I have a busy schedule and may be unable to go to the hospital. Does that disqualify me from the project?"

Maki answered briefly, efficiently. "We have been prepared for that. We had hoped that more and more people would come but since there is a small amount of applicants for the project, we are willing to do at-home visits."

The elderly people clapped wildly, Nico noticed, being more lively than at the apartments. Nico cleared her throat and stood up. "That means a lot, thank you very much." Maki smiled, but only for a second. "You're welcome."

The meeting ended quickly. People still milled about and Nico talked to some of her recognizable neighbors. She checked her phone – the meeting ended early so she could go get groceries. "Ah, Toshio-san, I'm going to go now, I have some errands to run. " The older woman smiled and said her goodbyes. Before Nico could exit the building, she heard someone yell her name.

"Ah! Yazawa-san!"

It was her! "Oh, oh, hello Nishikono-san."

"Leaving early?"

"Yes, I have to get some food."

"I see. Well, I would like to personally thank you for coming to the meeting. I thought you were joking about coming…"

Nico hurriedly shook her head. "N-N-No, I wanted to come."

Maki smiled. "That's good. Well, I shouldn't keep you. Have a good night."

"You as well."

Nico hurriedly went to the main streets, hailing a taxi. Her legs felt weak. After boarding the car, she took a breather. It was the first time she had talked to people, like, actually talked to them. It was mostly chit chats and quick hellos at her college – she didn't really have any friends there. Yeah. That's why her heart was beating so fast. Of course.

The next day, Nico had half-classes and finished them quickly. The bell rang softly in the background as she stayed in the classroom longer, putting her things away. She wondered briefly if she should go get coffee and risk an all-nighter. She shook her head. She had been staying up way too late a lot and it was affecting her classwork. But every time she went to bed, lying under the covers, the image of the crumpled man in the stretcher came back to her, burned into her eyes.

She shuddered at the thought of it. Well, if she were going to stay up late, she could study at least. She grabbed her purse and walked out of the classroom.

"Excuse, but, are you in the class that just ended?" Nico jumped in surprise, not seeing the girl standing next to the doorway. She tried to calm herself down and answer her politely. "Yes, yes I am. Who wants to ask?"

The girl walked in, a bashful smile on her face. "Ah, I ended up missing the class. I was wondering if I could borrow your notes?" Now in full view, Nico recognized the girl. Her name had to do with something about fate…destiny…

"…Nozomi Tojo, right?" The girl clapped. "Yes, I'm honored that you know my name!"

Nico grinned. "Well, do you remember mine?"

Silence.

Nico sighed. "Its Nico. Nico Yazawa."

Nozomi clapped her hands. "Yes! It was on the tip of my tongue! So, is it okay, or…?"

Nico stifled a yawn. "Yeah, its fine, but you better give them back to me by tomorrow. We both have midterms, you know." Nozomi nodded.

"Yes, yes we do. However, I honestly feel that now, with your help, we will both succeed wonderfully!" She exclaimed, holding her arms out in a weird salute.

"Uhhh, sure. Whatever. We can meet during lunch near the library. I'll be near the entrance." Nico replied, digging in her purse. She handed over the notes.

Nozomi took them and shook Nico's hand wildly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I'll see you tomorrow then, Nico?"

Nico nodded, smiling despite herself. "Of course."

TO BE CONTINUED