Of Love Doctors and teenage angst.
Same day – Around the same time – Inside the black mustang
After Natsuki ended their phone conversation ...
"She hung up," Shizuru said. Nao took the phone away from her ear.
"Well? What did she say?" Haruka asked. Everyone was curious to know.
Shizuru decided to summarize the whole conversation in two short sentences. "She hates me now. She doesn't want to see me again," she said quietly.
Accompanying the simple summary was a rapid deceleration of the car. That got everyone on edge. "O-Oi! Why are we slowing down?!" Nao asked. Thankfully, the cop cars were still ways behind. They were not in any immediate danger.
"There's no reason for me to see her anymore," Shizuru said. "I've … done enough. It's time to end this fiasco."
Haruka kicked Shizuru's chair. "WHAT? You're gonna give up just like that?"
"She said she doesn't want to see me!" Shizuru replied in a clipped tone. "As her friend, the least I can do is respect Natsuki's wishes after all I've done!"
"AND AS HER FRIEND, you should call her out when she's being a fucking idiot!" Nao rebutted. "She LOVES you! We know that for sure! She TOLD us!"
"WELL APPARENTLY I MESSED UP MY CHANCES!" Shizuru shouted uncharacteristically. Her outburst shocked the whole car into silence. She breathed out a heavy sigh and leaned back in the driver's seat like a broken rag doll. Shizuru continued on in a dejected tone. "There's- ... there's really nothing more I can do. It's over."
The two hostages watched the situation. Laula didn't know what she was feeling right now but it surely wasn't happiness. It troubled her because she should be happy. With the speed the car was going, the cops would catch them in no time. This whole ordeal would come to end. She should be overjoyed but she wasn't. Laula looked over at Anh and saw that her friend also looked troubled. The whole car was quiet. All pairs of eyes were fixed on the driver, a tawny-haired girl named Fujino. Laula leaned forward to get a better look at the girl in the driver's seat. What she saw made her heart sink.
Shizuru's shoulders were hunched. Her red eyes had lost their mirth. She was staring off into the distance, looking dull and distant. She was a stricken stone cold statue that was still breathing. Laula knew that look. It was a look of someone who was too defeated to carry on. 'Whoever was on that phone, must have meant a lot to her,' Laula thought. She was frustrated. She didn't know Shizuru's life story but no normal human being would like to see someone suffer like this. Laula hated to admit it but she would rather see that insufferable mischievous look on Shizuru's face rather than have her look this empty. She had to do something. 'I'm going to regret this,' she thought. But she couldn't just leave things be. "You're never going to get her with that kind of attitude!" she scolded.
"Ara?" everyone turned to Laula in surprise, including Shizuru.
"Fujino, I don't really know the history between you and this girl but from what I gather, you love her right?" Laula asked.
Shizuru stared blankly, "Yes?" she answered.
"Then just tell her!" Laula snapped.
Although, Shizuru was initially stunned by the Doctor's outburst, she quickly recovered with a huff. "I tried to tell her Doctor! Didn't you hear me? She rejected me!" she shot back.
"You didn't tell her anything! I didn't hear a single 'I love you' from you!" Laula retorted.
Shizuru eyed her defensively. "S-She knows that I love her. I've told her many times in the past!"
"That's no excuse not to tell her again!" Laula rebuked. "I heard your side of the phone conversation. You were dancing around the topic like a moron when you could've just told her you love her. She probably misunderstood you! You have to be straightforward when it comes to these things!"
"That's- Well- ... Y-You don't understand what's going on!" Shizuru sputtered.
"What's there to understand?" Laula griped. "Answer me this. Did you ask her if she loves you?"
"No."
"Did she tell you she hates you?" Laula asked. "Did you hear the word 'hate' coming out of her mouth?"
"No ..."
"YOU MORON!" Laula shouted. "Then why the hell did you say she hates you?"
"B-because ... it felt that way?" Shizuru said, now sounding uncertain.
"What if you felt wrong? What if you misunderstood her?" Laula asked. "What if you're giving up for nothing?"
A thoughtful silence passed before Shizuru spoke again. "But I've hurt her. I know I have ..."
"Then you apologize!" Laula said. "Say you're sorry and ask her to forgive you. Oh! And I don't recall you apologizing on the phone either!"
From the way Shizuru's brows furrowed in distress, Laula knew the girl was still not convinced. But some life was returning to her. She didn't look so crushed anymore. Shizuru still seemed a bit confused and to everyone's delight, a tad hopeful. All the girls started to join in on the task of persuading Shizuru.
"Kaichou-sama, you and Natsuki really do drive me up the wall!" Mai grumbled. "You two are so afraid of hurting each other that you end up beating around the bush and confusing one another!"
"You shouldn't give up just yet, Fujino-san," Anh said. "Not until you've made your feelings clear."
"I'm tellin' you Fujino, she really loves you!" Nao said. "Come on! Don't give up now! This is not just about you. The mutt's happiness is on the line too."
"Bubuzuke! Do you remember what you told me in the hospital bathroom?" Haruka asked. "You said if there's even a small possibly that Kuga might love you back then you would do ANYTHING for it! Right now, doing 'anything' means out running the cops all the way to Fuuka Gakuen to see Kuga! We've come too far to give up now so let's stick to our original plan. We'll go to Fuuka Gakuen, you're gonna confess and we'll see what happens next. So step on it Bubuzuke! I'm not letting you give up just yet!"
Shizuru have not responded to any of their encouragements. They could all hear the faint sounds of the police sirens from a distance getting closer with each passing second. "The police are almost here," Mai fretted.
Suddenly, they were all thrown back in their seats. Their ears were filled with the loud sound of a revving engine. When they recovered from the effect of the inertia, they realized the car was picking up speed again. The rest of the passenger looked to the driver's seat. The once lifeless Shizuru was busy shifting gears and controlling the steering wheel. When she finally spoke, she sounded like her old cheery self. "Everyone is right," she said. "How can I possibly give up now when I have a car full of people supporting me?"
Shizuru glanced over at everyone in the car. Her mischievous grin was back in place. "The good Doctor has a point. Natsuki might have misunderstood my babbling over the phone. So I won't give up yet. If Natsuki really hates me then she'll have to say it to my face but not before listening to what I have to say!"
Collective cheers could be heard from everyone but they didn't have the luxury to rejoice at all.
"Oi, let's not celebrate just yet," Haruka warned. "We've lost too much speed. The cops are gaining on us!" Backing up Haruka's warning was the blaring sounds of police sirens behind them.
Shizuru gripped the steering wheel tight and slammed her foot down on the accelerator. "Hang on, everyone! It's going to be a rough drive!" she announced.
Haruka, being the type of person who couldn't sit around and do nothing, leaned between the driver's and passenger's seats to bark orders. "Bubuzuke, try to lose the cops before we get too close to Fuuka Gakuen. You know the area around the school is hilly. It'll be hard to lose them there!" she said.
"I'll try."
They were passing by downtown Fuuka City. The traffic was heavy there. The roads were starting to get narrow and congested. Yet, Shizuru refused to slow down. She was whizzing past other cars and sometimes scarcely avoiding pedestrians. She went as far as driving on the opposite side of the road if she had to. Despite knowing that Shizuru had expert control of the car, the passengers were still nervous.
One of those nervous passengers was a certain red-head seated beside the driver.
Shizuru's driving was becoming crazier by the minute. Nao was regretting riding shotgun. She was getting the unwanted privilege of witnessing the nerve wrecking car ride from a first hand point of view. Being the pessimist that she was, Nao could only see two things coming out of this death ride- ... human road kill or her death. She wanted neither. "Oh please Kami-sama, Jesus Christ, Allah, Buddha, ancestors of the past and almighty forces of nature please please please help me survive this!" Nao mumbled, praying to every god she could think of. However, her preoccupied mind still had the sense to hear and feel Anh's phone vibrate in her hand. The phone didn't belong to Nao but she answered by instinct. "What?" she said gruffly.
"Nao-kun? Is that you?"
"Who's this?" she asked.
"It's me. Chie!"
Her eyes went wide. "Chie?! How did you get this number?"
"Err, Natsuki-kun gave it to me ... Anyways, where in the world are you? I'm guessing you're with Kaichou-sama. Is Mai-kun and Suzushiro-san with you?"
"Yeah, they're all here." Nao said.
"WATCH OUT!" Haruka screamed and Nao hung onto the 'oh-shit' handle for dear life.
The car swerved violently as it narrowly avoided a head on collision with another car on the road. Nao heart nearly exploded. She clutched her chest. "Fuck! If a car crash doesn't kill me a heart attack will!" she muttered under her breath.
Unaware of Nao's dire situation, Chie continued to speak "Where have you been all this time? We've been so worried!"
"Y-Yeah, Fujino got in an accident on the way to Kuga's house. We've been at the hospital all night." Nao struggled for a reply. Her mind was torn between not wanting to die and concentrating on Chie's words.
"WOAH! Kaichou-sama had to be hospitalized?! Oh man, is she all right? Are you guys at the hospital now?"
"... No," she managed a distracted answer.
"Well where are you?!"
"Now? We're running from the cops."
"YOU'RE WHAT?"
"Cops are chasing us," she repeated absentmindedly.
"WHY?"
"Uhh, they think Fujino's a suicidal patient who kidnapped two doctors from Fuuka Hospital," Nao decided to give a short version of what happened.
"OIII! DON'T RUN OVER THAT MAN!" Haruka screamed again.
Nao snapped her eyes shut. The car ride was getting to be too much and Chie's nagging wasn't helping. "SHE'S WHAT? I-I don't understand ... Nao-kun, are you joking around?"
The red-head was immediately incensed. Her near death situation was anything but funny. "Chie, a lot of weird shit went down since last night, okay?" Nao said. "And I can't tell you what they are right now because I'M TOO BUSY TRYING NOT TO SHIT IN MY PANTS!"
Nao's raised voice caught Haruka's attention. "Hey, is that Harada on the phone?" the blonde asked. "I have an idea. Gimme that phone Yuuki." Haruka snatched the phone away from Nao. "Hey, is this Harada? It's Suzushiro," she spoke into the mouth piece.
"Y-Yes, Suzushiro-san?" Chie answered meekly.
"Harada! I need you to do something for me. It's important so listen carefully," Haruka said. "I want you to wait for us near the school gate. We're coming to Fuuka Gakuen right now. We are in a black car, a mustang. After our car comes through the gate I want you to lock it. I repeat. Let the black mustang in and lock the school gate immediately. You can't let a single police car through. You got that?"
" … … I-I guess I do?"
"Good. Now, standby next to the school gates and wait for us!" Haruka ordered and snapped the phone shut. "Tokiha, help me untie the Doctors," she said.
"What's the plan Suzushiro-san?" Shizuru asked.
"Harada will help us buy some time. You'll need to put as much distance between us and the cops and make a straight shot for Fuuka Gakuen!" Haruka barked.
"Got it," Shizuru said and put the pedal to the floor.
"And try not to kill us in the process!" Nao wailed as the mustang flew through the streets, heading straight for Fuuka Gakuen.
Same day – Around the same time – Fuuka Gakuen Hallways
While the high speed car chase continued ...
Haruka had just hung up on Chie ...
Chie stared at her cell phone in awe. 'WHAT IN THE WORLD JUST HAPPENED?' her mind screamed. Chie shook her head to rid herself of the shock. "Gate … yeah I need to get to the gate …," she muttered. She wanted to wrap her head around what was going on but not at the risk of disobeying Haruka's orders.
"And where do you think you're going," said a surprisingly close voice behind her. "AHHH!" Chie jumped several feet in the air. A strong grip landed on her shoulders, stopping her from running away. Chie faced her captor. "M-Midori-sensei?"
"Why are you out here, Harada? Its class time isn't it?" Midori inquired with undisguised suspicion.
"I -I …"
"Are you skipping class?"
"No."
"Good, then I'll walk you back to class."
Midori proceeded to manhandle Chie back to her classroom against her will. 'Oh man oh man oh man, this is bad. I've got to get to the school gate!' Chie was in panic mode. She was failing to come up with any plausible excuse to get away from Midori.
Soon, they arrived at her classroom door. Midori slid it open. "Yo! Sakomizu-sensei, sorry to disturb your lesson," she said to the teacher who stood at the front of the class.
"Oh, Suigura-sensei, what brings you here?" Sakomizu asked.
"Just making sure none of my students are skipping," she said, pushing Chie into the room.
Sakomizu smiled in gratitude. "Ah! You're a model homeroom teacher then."
Midori grinned at the compliment, "I try!"
Receiving a pointed look from Midori, Chie stumbled back to her seat behind Natsuki. She didn't know what else to do. Whilst still fidgeting, she took her seat and checked her watch. 'This is bad … bad bad bad.' Haruka wanted her to be at the gates about five minutes ago.
Yukino, who was in the seat beside Chie, looked over worriedly. "Harada-san, are you okay?"
Natsuki also turned around to check on her, "Yeah, you don't look so good," she said.
"I need to get to the school gate," Chie blurted.
Her two friends couldn't be anything but confused by her words. Chie took a deep breath. Panicking was not going to help. She needed to calm down or she was going to sound like a bumbling fool. "I called the number I got from Natsuki. It got through and Nao picked it up," she explained.
Natsuki frowned. "I thought the phone was Shizuru's? Why did Nao pick up?" she asked.
Chie held up her hand, signaling Natsuki to let her continue. "They're all together- ... Nao-kun, Kaichou-sama, Suzushiro-san and Mai-kun. Last night, Kaichou-sama got in an accident. They took her to the hospital. They were there all night."
"WHAT?" Natsuki stood up abruptly. "WHAT HAPPENED?"
Chie shook her head. "I-I don't know the details either."
"Wait. What's that got to do with the school gate?" Yukino asked.
Chie took a deep breath. "Don't hold this against me. I'm just repeating what Suzushiro-san and Nao-kun told me," she pleaded. "Right now, the four of them are on their way here in a black mustang. They're also being chased by the p-police. Suzushiro-san asked me to wait by the school gate. I was to let the black mustang through, then lock the gate immediately to keep the police out."
Natsuki and Yukino stared at Chie strangely. "It's true! I swear! I'm not making it up!" the raven-head insisted.
Natsuki scratched her head in dismay. "So, Shizuru is really with them?" she asked.
"She is. From what they've told me."
"A-And she got into an accident last night?"
"I don't know the details," Chie clarified once more. "Nao said it happened while Kaichou-sama was on her way to your house last night, Natsuki-kun."
"She was coming to my house?" Natsuki cried in surprise.
Things were getting more confusing for the three of them now. "And you said Kaichou-sama was hospitalized?" Yukino confirmed. "So, why are they being chased by the police? Why are they coming here?"
Natsuki growled. "None of this makes sense! I just talked to Shizuru a while ago! She sounded fine!"
"I don't know what's going on either but Suzushiro-san asked me to wait at the gate! And I should've been there-" Chie checked her watch, "-ten minutes ago!"
The three girls knew Haruka's nature. The blonde wouldn't make such requests if it wasn't urgent. They needed to move. "Let's go!" Natsuki said. The other two girls got off their seats. They began to make their way towards the classroom entrance only to be block halfway by their homeroom teacher.
"Hey hey hey, where do you think you're going?" Midori demanded.
"Get out of my way, Midori! We don't have time to explain!" Natsuki griped but the young homeroom teacher did not budge.
"That's 'Midori-sensei' to you Kuga. And yes, you do have time to explain because the three of you are not going anywhere until I say so," she said.
"We have a good reason for this Midori-sensei. We will explain everything later," Yukino tried to plead.
Midori remained unfazed. "This is school hours, Kikukawa. You know I can't just let you walk out of here without a valid excuse."
"But there is a good excuse!" Chie persisted.
"Well then, let's hear it!" The teacher wasn't going to give up and they couldn't see any other way out.
Natsuki sighed. "Tell her Chie."
Yukino shrugged, "I guess there's no helping it."
Chie looked at her two friends helplessly.
"I'm waiting Harada," Midori reminded her. Chie had no choice but to relay the strange story.
"Kaichou-sama, Mai-kun, Suzushiro-san and Nao-kun are currently in a black mustang. They on their way here a-and they're also being chased by the police. Suzushiro-san asked me to wait by the school gate so I can lock it after the mustang comes in. That's to stop the police cars from coming i-into the school grounds," she said.
Neither Midori or Sakomizu appeared impressed. Midori released an amused chuckle. "Really Harada, you need to come up with a better excuse if you want to skip class. That was a very lame story."
"I'm not making it up!" Chie protested.
"Oh, save it," Midori snorted. "You kids are all the just the same. Yuuki tried to pull the same stunt on me last night. If you're going to lie to me, then at least come up with a better story!"
The first part of Midori's statement caught Chie's attention. "Midori-sensei, you saw Nao last night?" she asked.
"No. She called me in the middle of the night. Well ... ... she was actually calling Youko but I happened to pick up the phone," Midori said. The young teacher flashed Chie a sly grin. "Hey, don't be acting like you don't know what I'm talking about. All of you were there at the Karaoke bar last night along with Yuuki, weren't you?"
"No, we weren't!" Natsuki denied sharply.
"No use lying, Kuga. I heard Suzushiro's voice too," Midori admonished.
The three students exchanged alarmed looks. Haruka and Nao together ... It fit with Chie's story.
"What did Nao-kun say?" Chie asked.
Midori shrugged. "Some crazy story about an Xbox falling on Fujino's head. She said they needed a ride to the hospital but I doubt it. She probably just had too much to drink and wanted a ride home."
"An Xbox fell on Kaichou-sama's head?" Chie repeated in disbelief.
"Yeah and she thought I was going to fall for a stupid story like that! Hah!" Midori said with a smug grin.
"Midori ..." A quiet and shaken voice brought all attention to Natsuki. Her eyes were wide and fearful. Her face was ashen white, "Did Nao really say an Xbox fell on Shizuru's head?"
Midori nodded. "Yeah?"
If possible, Natsuki's face became whiter and more fail. Her breathing became labored. Natsuki looked about ready to pass out. "I-I …"
"Natsuki-kun, are you all right?" Chie asked.
"I live on the top floor of a two-story apartment ...," Natsuki croaked. "And last night, I-I threw my Xbox out of the window," she said.
"Stop kidding around, Kuga. Why would you throw out an Xbox like that," Midori inquired with amused chuckle. "And why would Fujino be loitering near you apartment with Yuuki and Suzushiro?"
Chie stepped in to explain. "Last night, all three of us were at Kaichou-sama's apartment. Kaichou-sama, Suzushiro-san, Mai-kun and Nao-kun were there too. Natsuki and Kaichou-sama had a big row and Natsuki-kun left. Kaichou-sama went after her later and Mai-kun, Nao-kun and Suzushiro-san followed her. Kikukawa-san and I waited back at Kaichou-sama's apartment and that was the last time we saw then," she said.
Natsuki nodded. "I was so mad when I got back to my apartment. I got into a major fight with Shizuru and it was all because of that STUPID Xbox! I didn't want to look at it s-so I threw it out the window."
Suddenly, all traces of amusement was wiped off Midori's face.
"So you really did throw an Xbox out your two-story window?" Midori asked.
Natsuki nodded.
"And it could have ... possibly fallen on Fujino's head?" Midori asked again, looking increasingly nervous.
Natsuki nodded again.
"So Yuuki might've been telling me the truth?"
Another nod.
"Which means Fujino might've really suffered a head injury last night?"
Another nod.
"And Yuuki was probably calling Youko because she's the only doctor she knows."
A nod from all three girls.
Midori buried her face in her hands. "And I just hung up on her didn't I? … Shit shit shit shit SHIT! B-But wait … if Fujino's suppose to be at the hospital then why is she coming here and WHY is she being chased by the police? I-I'm pretty sure Nao sounded drunk over the phone last night! How can I be sure you guys are not pulling some elaborate prank on me?" The very anxious homeroom teacher eyed them suspiciously.
It was Sakomizu who answered the accusatory question. "No, I think they're telling the truth or part of it," he said.
"How do you know?" Midori inquired.
Sakomizu put a finger to his lips. "Listen," he said
Yukino was the first person to hear it. "Sirens! I can hear sirens!" she exclaimed.
"What? Midori headed to the window that was facing the school gate and her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Police cars were pouring in through the opened gate.
Chie groaned. "Now do you believe me?"
"I'm going to see what's going on," Midori growled.
"I'll go too," Sakomizu said.
"The three of you STAY PUT," Midori ordered.
"But we-" Natsuki tried to argue.
"NO BUTS!" Midori cut her off. "Stay put or its detention until you graduate!" she left very little room for argument.
"Let's just stay here for now," Yukino said. "Besides, we don't really know what's going on." She pulled her two friends back to their seats. They didn't want to stay put but Yukino had a point. So, the three of them took their seats again.
All eyes were on them and curious whispered surrounded the three girls. But, they couldn't care less about their classmates gossiping about them. Their minds were too preoccupied.
"What happens now?" Chie asked.
Yukino could only shrug. "We'll have to wait and see."
Natsuki just groaned in frustration.
Same day – A few minutes earlier – Near Fuuka Gakuen gate
A few minutes earlier ...
"We're here!" Shizuru announced as they passed through the Fuuka Gakuen school gate. She pulled over and parked next to the bushy area where Natsuki always parked her bike.
Haruka poked her head out the window. "Where the hell is Harada? She's suppose to wait at the gate!" she groused.
"No time to waste. Let's close it ourselves!" Shizuru said. Everyone got out of the car and rushed to the school gate only to stop halfway. They could see a line of police cars coming in their directions. The cars were approximately a mile away and closing in fast.
"Damn, they're closer than we thought!" Nao said.
"Change of plan. Ignore the gate and make a run for it!" Haruka ordered and the six of them, including the two Doctors turned and ran in the direction of the school building. "What are we going to do? They'll catch us before we can get to the classroom!" Haruka asked.
"Ara, we do have a certain advantage over the police," Shizuru said. "For instance, we know the school grounds better than them."
"Yeah, but they can overwhelm us by their sheer number. They'll block every hallway in the building and catch us!" Haruka gruffed.
"Maybe we don't have to use the hallways," Mai suggested.
"Then how the hell are we gonna get to Kuga's class?!" Haruka complained.
"We can climb in through the windows!" Mai answered.
"But the classroom is on the second floor!" the blonde reminded, thinking Mai had forgotten.
"The tree!" Mai answered simply. "There's a big ol' tree growing right beside the building. I'm talking about the one with the big thick branches. We can climb up that tree and enter the classroom through the window. I see Nao and Mikoto do it all the time!"
"That's a brilliant idea Tokiha-san!" Shizuru cheered. "The police will never suspect it."
"That's actually a good idea," Haruka nodded. "Right, let's do it!"
"Yuuki-san, could you show us where this tree is," Shizuru asked.
"Leave it to me. We're really close to it!" More determined than ever, the four Fuuka students and the two doctors increased their pace.
The two doctors fought hard to keep up as they were not as athletic or young as the four students. Laula was wheezing. "Hah ... Anh ... why are we ... running with them? I-It's ... not like the ... police are gonna ... do ... anything ... to us ... if we stay behind," she said.
"Hmmm, I don't know either but this is quite exciting isn't it?" Anh replied with a small giggle.
Laula groaned at her friend's easy going nature. "I guess I'm just trying to be a responsible doctor," Laula tried to explain her actions out loud. "I need to drag the brat back to the hospital when we're done with this whole charade."
"Or maybe, you're just worried about these kids and you want to see the whole thing through," Anh retorted with a knowing smile.
Laula glowered at her colleague but said nothing more.
After they turned a corner, Nao skidded to a stop near a big tree growing very close to the school building. "This one!" the red-head said. Then, with an agility and grace of a cat, she jumped onto the nearest branch.
"Easier said than done," Laula muttered.
"Could you give the Doctors a lift, Suzushiro-san?" Shizuru requested. "I'll pull them up." She climbed up next to Nao effortlessly.
"The things I do for you, Bubuzuke," Haruka complained but did as she was told anyways.
After much cussing and complaining from Haruka, the two doctors finally made it up the tree. "Alright, now pull me up." Just as Haruka said those words, they heard voices.
"I think they went this way, sir!"
"Search the buildings! Do not let anyone in or out!"
"Yes sir!"
Several voices and footsteps were coming their way. Haruka was standing in plain sight.
"Give me your hand!" Shizuru said.
"I'm not gonna make it. Just go!" Haruka whispered back.
Shizuru shook her head. "No! Give me your hand!"
"Stop dillydallying and go! I'll run and lead them somewhere else!" Haruka said.
"Then I will come after you!" Shizuru threatened. "If you don't want me to do that then give me your hand! I'm not leaving you here!" Shizuru was adamant. Their eyes met in an unyielding gaze. "Suzushiro-san, you were the one who told me not to give up so I'm going to tell you to follow your own advice. Just give me your hand! We can all make it!"
"You're so damn stubborn!" Haruka complained. Then she let out a quiet laugh. "Fine! But make it quick!" She gave Shizuru her hand.
Shizuru grasped the blonde's outstretched hand and began to pull her up. Haruka wasn't as lithe as Shizuru or Nao. Therefore, she was solely relying on Shizuru's strength. The footsteps were getting louder. "Damn, we're not gonna make it …," Haruka whispered.
"Oh yes we will! Give me your other hand Suzushiro!" Nao seized Haruka's free hand and pulled. The blonde's feet started to lift off the ground.
"Almost there!" Mai said and clutched Haruka's shirt, finally pulling her on the branch.
"You made it!" Anh cheered with a happy clap.
"Sssssh!" Haruka gestured them to hush. Just as she did it, several uniformed police officers appeared from behind the building the corner. There were about six of them, all armed with pistols.
"... … See anything?" a voice came through a walkie belonging to one of the cops.
"Negative, sir. We're still looking."
" …All right. Keep searching. Their car is here so they're probably not too far."
"Roger that."
The girls didn't dare breathe. The leaves on the tree were shielding them a bit but it was an absolute miracle that the cops never looked up. If they did, they would see six people sitting on tree branch.
They all waited fretfully until the officers passed them. Only then, their breathing returned to normal. Nao blew a shaky breath. "Woah dude, these guys are serious. Did you see those guns?"
"A-Are they going to shoot at us?" Mai asked.
Haruka shrugged. "No use thinking about it. Let's move on. Now, where's that classroom?"
"Right above this branch," Nao confirmed.
Haruka punched her palm with gusto, "Let's move it!" she said.
Shizuru and Nao jumped up the higher branch and helped the others climb up.
"We're here," Shizuru said. Suddenly, she was nervous. Her hands started to sweat. "We're here," she repeated. They all turned to the window and Shizuru's breath caught in her throat. There, sitting beside the window was none other than the love of her life.
Natsuki was talking with someone … a classmate probably. Shizuru couldn't see for sure since the window was closed. After everything she went through, she was finally here. Natsuki was just a window away from her.
Haruka nudged Shizuru softly. "What are you waiting for?"