Act 2: Exposure

Development

I found sleep the previous evening rather difficult. The photo that girl, Kawana, took taking front and centre of my thoughts. My hatred of that person in the photo released a torrent of unpleasant thoughts.

Myself. I hated myself.

That miserable lump of flesh sitting in the bleachers staring miserably into a can of juice. That's me.

It took me hours of brooding in bed, tossing and turning until I changed tact. How do I fix it? How do I make myself better? That's when I remembered. I had a very brief two day foray into running track in the morning. Stupidly I talked myself out of it when I got upset that I couldn't keep up with the school's top track runner.

It was on reflection I realized how ludicrous that sounded. A guy fresh from hospital, with a heart condition struggling to keep up with the fastest little thing on no legs. I resolved in bed then to go to the Nurse after school and ask for a training and diet plan. If I can at least make this condition liveable, well, it's better than brooding into a can of juice.

I can hear Misha's voice before I open the door to class 3-3. Although that is hardly peculiar observation.

"Kawana! You really should show some level of cooperation for the rest of your class! We were all working very hard this past week. Even the new guy chipped in! Where were you? Obviously you were doing something more important than helping your fellow classmates."

Some things never change. The scenario in my head is exactly as what is presented to me as I open the door. Shizune and Misha standing over a seated Kawana. Shizune furiously signing away. Only Kawana's calm yet dismissive voice seems to break the silence.

"I certainly did have something more important Ms. Hakamichi, Ms. Mikado. I needed to wash my hair."

Misha's face is certainly a reflection of everybody's within earshot, myself included. She begins awkwardly signing the response to Shizune. Her gestures more deliberate, and slow. Well aware that hers were the hands that would unleash the dogs of war.

[...]

And she is right. Shizune's face is red, her gestures more aggressive. I can hear the cracking of her fingers as she replies. Misha's translation still maintaining her loud sing-song tone.

"Kawana! Your thoughtless disregard for your fellow students reflects... HICCHAN!"

Misha looks at me. Her face plastered now with worry. She grabs Shizune by the arm rushing towards me. Shizune carried by the sheer momentum as she crashes into me, pushing all three of us out of the room.

Regaining our footing and dusting ourselves off, it is ironically Shizune who breaks the silence. Her rapid fire gestures filling the awkward space. Misha quickly translating.

[...]

"We're glad you're okay. We were both so worried when you left us last night."

Shizune's face takes on a rather upset look as she continues.

[...]

"You left us in the lurch. And furthermore, Ibarazaki overheard us.. me... worrying about you. Shicchan had to spend an hour trying to console her."

Oh lord Emi got involved? I guess she was worried after I stopped showing up at the track. This just gets better and better. Well, I am trying to better myself. No time like the present.

"Look... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you in the lurch like that. I... I had an issue. And I was embarrassed. I know it's stupid... I'm sorry. I... I have a heart condition."

Why was this so much easier with Kawana yesterday? Maybe because I notice the looks on their faces. Why do they look so miserable? It's not their fault. They weren't the ones panicking and running away. Over juvenile embarrassment.

[...]

Again it's Shizune who breaks the silence. Her fingers delicately and very carefully signing her reply.

"We know, Hicchan. After we calmed Ibarazaki we left the festival. You see... Student Council has records of the conditions of Yamaku's students. Because of the safety requirements and accessibility concerns. We were so worried we... we looked at your file. We know about your... Arrhythmia."

Both of them simultaneously bow, their heads lowered.

"We're sorry Hicchan."

I really didn't know what to say. I couldn't help but feel a sense of violation. They looked at private records. My private records. Why? To satisfy their own curiosity? Amusement? I catch myself. No, they saw me looking rather unwell and suddenly run away. Later on, Emi overhears their worry and probably freaked out. She really does wear her heart on her sleeve. I can the inevitable cycle that would have caused. Shizune, while she often bent the rules, is, as far as I can tell, ferociously principled. They could have looked at my records any time.

I need to give them the benefit of the doubt. They were worried about me. I step forward placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Their heads raise up looking at me.

"Okay. You're sorry. I'm sorry. Let's just pretend this never happened."

As Misha translates this for Shizune. Shizune suddenly gestures her arms in an "X" in front of her. An aggressive rejection of my proposal.

[...]

"No. Hicchan. That is unacceptable. Something like this shouldn't just be buried and forgotten. We all made mistakes, and we must learn from them. However..."

Her firm expression promptly gives way to a smile.

"Our opinion of you has not changed. As I can discern, your opinion of us has not changed either. We still wish to be friends with you, and you have nothing to be embarrassed about."

Her smile turns into that familiar impish grin.

"We are concerned about your health. Ibarazaki mentioned you abandoning your fitness regimen That is unacceptable. Therefore, at lunch, we are going to take you to the Nurse and ensure this is rectified. Whether you like it or not."

It looks like my training schedule got slightly accelerated. Well there was no resisting the force of these two personalities. I sigh, resigning myself to my fate.

"Agreed. Now I have a couple of things I need to take care of. I'll see you at our desks."

I wave to them before re-entering the classroom. I quickly spot who I was looking for before being interrupted. Kawana is talking to one of the girls who sits at the front row. Komaki I believe that's her name. She seems to be gossiping to a rather disinterested Kawana about a cute teddy bear she won at the festival last night. I keep a small distance watching them, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. Kawana however looks to me and smiles, seeing salvation at hand.

Kawana stands up, and bows rather politely, her body brace rendering it somewhat awkward nonetheless.

"Good morning, Nakai."

I'm rather surprised by the formality and instinctively mimic the gesture, returning her bow, trying to correctly match the depth to what I estimate was hers.

"Good morning, Kawana."

Kawana simply nods her ascent. Komaki gets up amd sighs, seeing she is being pushed out of her conversation. She turns towards me with a playful smile as she walks past, she stage whispers in my ear.

"Good luck, new guy."

She giggles to herself before taking her seat at the front. I look back to Kawana and notice her utterly perfect posture, the sort that would make the Empress proud. I wonder if it has to do with her brace. More likely it's her upbringing.

An impish grin almost channelling Shizune worn shamelessly on her face.

"That's twice in the space of ten minutes you've rescued me. Are you trying to be my white knight?"

Second time? I pause for a moment and remember Shizune and Misha chewing her out for her lack of participation in the festival preparations.

"No nothing like that. Besides, I doubt riding around on a charger would be good for somebody with my heart. I just wanted to talk to you. I enjoyed last night and I was wondering. Well.. Could I get a copy of the photo you took of me?"

Kawana pauses for a moment. Clearly taken off guard by my question. Had I been too presumptuous? Was I coming across like a creeper? Oh no, have I offended her? I panic a bit. I desperately begin to try and salvage.

"No, I wasn't... I'm sorry... Never mind.. I..."

Kawana promptly cuts me off.

"I would love to. You're the first person to ask for a copy of one of my photos. I'm grateful. I can take us to the Photography Club room to print a copy at lunch."

I look over to Shizune and Misha. Misha sees me and waves enthusiastically.

"Unfortunately, lunch won't suit me. I am... occupied."

I subtly gesture to the two Student Council members. This causes Kawana to laugh a rather genteel laugh. Politely she covers her mouth.

"I understand. Your two friends have roped you into one of their schemes. You don't have to explain. How does after school sound?"

"That sounds perfect. I'll see you here after class."

I stand up and nod my head, a gesture Kawana returns. I take my seat beside Misha before Mutou comes in for homeroom.

Class proceeds rather uneventfully. That is, until the lunch bell rings. Before second chime I find Shizune and Misha looming over me at my desk. All escape routes cut off.

I am trapped