"I said wake up, Tomoya!"

I rocket upwards into a sitting position. I look around me frantically. Fire, where's the fire? Cold sweat beads up on my forehead. My memory slowly returns and I breathe out loudly. After I left Nurse's office, I came to the library for a small nap… I must have been pretty out of it because I can see an orange glow of the sunset come through the library windows.

I realise I'm not alone and I look up at the person who roused me from that weird nightmare. My vision is still blurry but I can make out the two metallic crutches and the well-endowed chest of a girl I recognize. It's Kaori. My vision soon returns and I'm greeted with a worried face.

"Are you ok? You're sweating Tomoya"

"I'm fine, just a bad dream… what time is it?" I wipe my forehead with the sleeve of my blazer. I have a slight crick in my neck, guess that's what I get for using a bean bag as a pillow. I give a low grunt as I pull myself off of the floor and turn to Kaori. She doesn't seem convinced.

"It's around five in the evening but are you sure you're ok? You look terrible" why does she care? We aren't exactly close friends. I nod my head.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. It was just a really bad dream. Nothing serious" she still doesn't look convinced but she drops it. I'm telling the truth so I don't really know why she doesn't believe me. I wonder why she's here anyway.

"I didn't see you come to watch our club practice" ah… guess I forgot about that. I hang my head. A part of me wanted to go and watch the club session as well. I wonder if there's a way to make it up to her. I did kind of promise after all.

"Oh, I forgot. Can I make it up to you?" Her face lights up and she nods

"Well, if it isn't too much trouble, I could use some help at the convenience store in town. Would you mind?" This could be good, I haven't really figured out my way around the town so I should take this as a chance to get acquainted with the surroundings. I nod my agreement and we arrange to meet at the school gate in half an hour. I'll go get changed out of this dirty uniform, it still has some blood on it but I got the worst of it off when I was in Nurse's office.

*Scene Break*

Either I'm early and I'm waiting on her or I'm so late that she gave up and went on her own. I got dressed into a maroon hoodie, jeans and sneakers. It's not exactly a great fashion combination but what should I care? Anything I wear would be considered unfashionable because of this sling. I hear the distinct sound of crutches hitting the floor and I lift my head up to see Kaori make her way towards me.

She's wearing a turtle-neck and a knee length skirt. I still can't help but notice the lack of her left leg. It still makes me wonder how she lost it. Her hair is still let down and sways as she moves. I'd be lying if I said she wasn't attractive but she isn't my type, I can't see myself in a romantic involvement with her.

(Why am I thinking about romantic involvement?)

She gives a smile and I wave my left arm and return the smile. I wonder why she doesn't use her wheelchair to get around all the time and I wonder why she hasn't got a prosthetic limb like Emi. Maybe she just can't afford it… or it could be a personal choice.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I can't get around as fast as normal people" I check my watch, she's early as well.

"It's fine, I've only just arrived too. Shall we go?" I gesture towards the gates and we begin to walk. I feel at ease when I look out over the town below, but the constant strain from the sling reminds me of why I'm here… and of who put me here.

(There goes that little issue of mine again)

We haven't spoken in a while, is she wanting me to start up the conversation? What do I talk about? Well, there is basketball but I'm not sure how to go about it…

"So, when did you first get into basketball?" Kaori breaks the silence first with a bold question.

"I guess I developed a passion when I was in middle school. I got into a private school because of a recommendation too. Yourself?"

"I've always loved it, ever since I was a kid. I got bullied by the other girls because they thought only guys liked sports. It didn't bother me though, people can think what they like about me, it won't affect me in the least"

She's strong willed, I'll give her that. I've never been bullied so I can't relate to her but I can safely assume it was at least hard for her to handle.

"So, how'd you get the bump shoulder? A basketball accident?" Crap. I was hoping this wouldn't come up. She wouldn't believe me if I said it was a basketball related accident, she has most likely seen the wound. Guess I'll have to be honest…

"No, I got a shard of glass lodged into my back tearing most of the tendons and a large part of the muscle of my right shoulder…" Kaori seems a little taken aback

"How in the hell did that happen?" Nosey isn't she? I'll have to accept it sooner or later… it might as well be sooner.

"I got into a fight with my dad. We don't exactly get on very well. We started grappling with each other and he suddenly pushed me. I hit a window and it smashed… you can guess the rest. I don't even remember what the original argument was either… it was something stupid though."

This is the first time I've talked about it to someone else. Why am I being so open? I barely know Kaori and yet… I can talk about my fight so easily with her. Maybe it's because she has a kind of big sister feel to her. I feel that I can trust her… maybe a big sister is what I need?

She's gone silent. She's probably taking it in, I highly doubt she was expecting domestic abuse as a reason. I know I'd be pretty shocked if someone else was telling me this. Her face has a sorrowful look to it… please don't look like that. I hate seeing people like that.

"That's terrible… I'm so sorry Tomoya. I shouldn't have probed into your problems…" I give a one shouldered shrug as we enter the main part of the town.

"Everyone has a story, I'm sure there are far worse ones in Yamaku than mine…" that is most certainly true. That Hanako girl has probably been through hell and back… bad analogy… "so, what's yours?" I told her mine, least she can do is tell me hers.

She pauses for a moment and thinks for a second. As we come up to the convenience store she stops all together. Her face has that painful sorrowful look again. It must be bad. I think I may regret asking.

"I had Osteosarcoma. It was pretty bad and they had to amputate my left leg. I thought I'd never play basketball again. I almost lost the will to live. Then, when I started this school, I found the wheelchair basketball club and I regained my confidence... but things happen"

That's bad, so it was either get your leg amputated or die? That must have put so much pressure on her. No kid should have to decide something like that. If I can recall Osteosarcoma is basically a bone tumor that occurs commonly in teenagers.

(I actually remember something like that?)

That last part puts me on edge though. What does she mean by things happen? I don't think I should ask in case she takes offence... but Kaori doesn't seem like that kind of girl.

"I've only recently found out that the tumor spread... in other words, the amputation didn't work. It spread to my lungs and over time... it's become terminal. I only have a few years left. Four at the maximum."

(Oh... I wasn't expecting that...)

My mouth has gone dry. That's way too much to live with. This girl is very strong... stronger than me. I've become depressed over a mundane thing as a fight gone bad... she has to live with the fact that she'll definitely be killed by this cancer.

"I... didn't realise, that's... that's got to be traumatic..."

(Yeah... real subtle Tomoya...)

We enter the store in silence and we go about the shopping... not a single word was said. It's just to awkward. I feel terrible... I was getting so worked up over my own problems without considering other peoples. I'm way to self-centred for my own good.

I see people shoot us looks every so often and that almost infuriates me. A particular disgusted look from an old woman almost sets me off. Kaori must have seen the look on my face because she sighs slightly.

"It got to me at first too... but I got used to it. Some people don't like anything different, some get angry and some are frightened. Most just find it weird" she says to me. How can she be so calm? This girl... she's something else entirely. "Maybe it's just that ridiculous blue hair of yours!" Kaori throws a playful jab at me. I can't help but laugh a little. I do dye my hair but it's not actually that far from my natural hair colour.

(Tsukkomi Time!)

"What was that? That wasn't very nice!" I deliver my Urate Chop with almost perfect timing. I have gotten my mojo back! She chuckles and gives a Gyao~!

"Scary~!" She's a good comedy partner. She probably needs to take her mind off things. We exchange friendly banter as we make our way through the store and we finally end up at the checkouts. We pay and head out. It's dark. How long have we been in their?

"Let's head back now, it's getting late..." Kaori looks around nervously. She must not like being out at night. I can't say I blame her, dangerous people hang around at night. We'd better get back to Yamaku as soon as possible.

We make our way through the streets of the town and look as inconspicuous as possible. Kaori starts coughing and doubles over and coughs into a handkerchief. What's wrong? She looks like she's in pain.

"... I'm fine *cough* this always happens, *cough* it is my lungs... that have the tumor in..." ah... didn't think of that. I give her a gentle rub on the back and she seems to have recovered a little. She stands up straight and I notice the blood stain slowly forming on the handkerchief. She gives me a week smile but I can see she's in serious pain. Her eyes look like they've lost all life to them. She's like an empty shell... she needs a friend, someone who can be there for her when she needs them. Someone who can care for her when she's in pain.

"Hey, you two. I got a favour to ask!"

(Oh God... this can only mean...)

We both turn around and see a tall well built man in a sports shirt and low hanging cargo pants. A baseball cap sat on his shaved head and his broad nose was pierced several times. This guy is bad news and we don't need this right now! I scowl at him and shoot him an angry look

"What do you want?" I say in a stern manner. I really don't want this to end in violence. I can't hold off an attacker with this dead arm. That's probably why this guy picked us... we're easy targets.

"Just all the money you have, ya' can do that can't ya'?" I knew it, this guy only wants our money... but we don't have any spare. Kaori only brought enough to cover her shopping and I haven't brought anything at all. I leer at him and he chuckles. "You gonna disobey elders... punk?" he says and a mischievous grin crawls across his face.

"We don't have any money, leave us alone" My temper is beginning to boil. This guy doesn't care about anyone but himself. I hate that kind of person. His grin grows as he realises something

"You guys are from that there cripple school, aint' ya?"

(You asshole!)

"What of it? It's none of your business" I yell at him. Kaori begins coughing again. This is bad... I can't lift her up and run... I can't take her hand and run... I won't be able to fight him off... what should I do? There's nothing to do! Kaori doubles over again and violently coughs into her handkerchief. Damn it...

The man laughs and walks over to Kaori and grabs her wrist. He pulls her up and she yelps in pain as she continues to cough. "What's wrong with this one? A little cough? Aw... is that all it takes to get into a cripple school?" he throws her down and that's what makes me snap. I charge forward and ready my left fist for a punch. It connects with his chest but it bounces off without even hurting him. He gives an almighty below of laughter.

(I'm useless... there's nothing I can do... just leave us alone... please...)

I'm suddenly sent to the floor and my vision becomes too blurry to see. My jaw hurts... I must have been punched... one punch is enough to floor me? Pathetic Tomoya... absolutely pathetic...

"You trash aint worth the time! Go back to your little cripple school!" He kicks me in the stomach and then I hear him walk away laughing to himself.

(I'm useless)

I couldn't do anything... I'm no friend... I slowly get into a sitting position and rub the soar part of my jaw. I then slam my fist into the floor. Kaori has gone silent... she's probably close to breaking...

(It seems to me that God is intentionally screwing her... cruel bastard)

She seemed so happy when I first met her, full of energy and enthusiastic about life... now that I know what's up with her... I now know that bubbly exterior of hers is a facade. It's an unnerving thought... she's an empty shell. Being repeatedly stamped on by this disease that will kill her.

I get up and walk towards her. I help her up and there's that look again. The painful sorrow that I really hate. I pat her on the shoulder for reassurance but that's probably not going to do much good.

"He's gone now. Let's get going or we'll miss the curfew" I say to her and we walk away in silence. This day really has been a disaster... I hope tomorrow will be better... let's not jinx it though.

*Scene Break*

[And where were you yesterday?]

Shizune and I have been paired up again for group work. She's using my laptop as a method of communicating with me. She isn't too happy about me not attending yesterday. I make an apologetic face.

[I had a little accident that caused the wound on my back to open up again. I had to get it re-stitched]

Shizune isn't convinced though. Didn't Kaori deliver the message? Or is Shizune just being stubborn?

[Never mind, let's get our work done]

(Yeah, that's for the best... I don't even want to think about yesterday)

As we get on with our work I notice something odd out of the corner of my eye. The door slides slowly open and there stands Hanako. Making herself as small of a presence as possible. She slowly makes her way into the room and what strikes me as odd is the fact no one, not even the teacher, pays her any attention. In fact it seems that only I am even aware of her existence.

Is this a regular occurrence? It has to be for everyone to not notice a late comer. Is she delinquent? No that's impossible. It's just social anxiety like Nurse said. She must find it hard to came to class with so many people around.

She sits down and instantly begins the work that was set on her own. Is this how she spends group work time? Alone?

[That's Hanako Ikezawa, you'd best steer clear of that one] Shizune types on the laptop. Shizune is class rep... maybe she thinks she's a trouble maker. If she does... that's a little closed minded. At least today is normal. Maybe I can strike up a conversation with Hanako. She seems to have calmed down from yesterday morning. I have to be careful though, she could run away again and that'd be it... take it nice and slow and try not to frighten her.

A/N

Sorry for such a depressing chapter but Kaori's character is a very depressing one. The main love interest is NOT Kaori it will be Hanako. Let me know what you think. Any suggestions/complaints yadda yadda, you get the idea already. Thanks for reading!