How can it have only been five minutes? It's felt like two hours since I last allowed myself to look at the clock, mounted below the sun faded flag in room 3:3. My eyes ache, the dim morning sun that I watched rise now reflects cruelly off every surface. Moutou stands before us, his outline blurred through my watering eyes.

"I hope everyone had a fun and productive festival."

More fun and destructive for me.

Without waiting for any kind of reply Mutou begins to write on the blackboard, the lump of chalk complaining audibly at the rough treatment. I wonder if Ryouta made it to class today? He's not answered my text messages yet.

"We will be splitting off and performing some light work as partners this morning." Our teacher indicates the page numbers he managed to haphazardly scribble on the board. "I trust everyone is able to find a partner?"

His instructions slowly ripple through the students, who lazily start to shift chairs and desks, establishing their normal pairings. Shizune and Misha, Molly and Suzu, the newspaper club girls - perhaps Ryota had a point about them… No, dirty boy stay out of my mind. Eventually only myself, Hisao and Hanako remain partnerless.

Catching Hisao's hazelnut eyes I nod at him, gesturing to my desk and hoping he gets the signal. Shizune doesn't miss it at any rate. She stares between us, throwing Hisao a curious look before giving me a withering glare. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your perspective, she's unwilling to dump her best friend for a boy.

"What about Hanako?" Hisao asks, sitting down at Ikuno's vacant desk.

Thankfully with her chair being empty I don't have to get out of my comfortable seat to join Hisao.

"Oh," I mumble, my eyes drifting to the back of the room. Since starting at Yamaku, Hanako has been somewhat of an enigma. Ikuno talks about her conspiratorially, as if she were a bomb set to explode if noticed. A flash of purple hair disappearing around a doorway has become a common sight. Still, she seems friendly enough, just a little timid.

I'm sure Mutou wouldn't mind us bending the partner rule.

"Mind if she joins us?" I ask, my eyes still on Hanako, who is packing away her supplies quickly. It's like watching someone turning up for a race, taking their marks, then giving up before the pistol has even been fired. Not quitting in rage or some other over exaggerated display of emotion, but a willing acceptance of her own failings. It's depressing to watch.

With an ill-fitting grace she rises to her feet, careful not to disturb even the air around her. She has mastered going unnoticed. I bet she would make one hell of a cat burgler. Gliding swiftly past my desk, I catch her eye.

"Hanako," I call softly.

She stops in her tracks, as the room falls silent, every eye turned to us. Shit. I've messed up. Hanako looks terrified, unsure if she should run or try and hide, even Mutou looks up from his magazine to observe this strange occurrence.

"Did you want to work with us?" I ask awkwardly.

The room waits on baited breath for her answer. I wish they wouldn't. I've done nothing more than make our shyest classmate uncomfortable, she's not able to even speak, instead she shakes her head and rushes to the door. Cheeks burning I turn to Hisao, who shrugs.

"Is she being bullied?" he wonders, opening his textbook. The chatter in the room slowly returning to its normal volume, however much these people might understand what it's like to be different, they still enjoy a free show.

"I don't think so, she's just really shy."

"Well, at least you tried right?" he says, picking up on how uncomfortable I am.

"I guess, so you know any of this?" I change the subject, looking down at the incomprehensible equations; Newton is like Shakespeare, old and impossible to understand.

"Yeah, I guess." Shrugging noncommittally he pulls his chair a little closer to mine, starting to explain.

He knows his stuff, but he speaks as if he's not sure, as if he's just guessing at answers. If it's an effort not to make me feel stupid, it's working. Come on Miki, you can run nearly as fast as a girl with no legs! That will be useful for finding a job. Time passes easily in his company, even when struggling to understand physics. I find myself becoming lost in his words.

"So, do you understand?" he asks, leaning back in his chair, a coy smile on his face.

"I think so. You're a good teacher," I smirk. "I should return the favour."

"Oh?" He sits forward; interested.

"Nurse said you wanted to run, I wouldn't mind the company."

My cheeks warm, as if I had asked him on a date. I'm not sure what suddenly changed my mind about running with him, but it's too late to go back now.

"I don't know about wanting to," he says with a grimace. "But I'm supposed to be keeping myself in shape, so, sure why not?"

Do epileptic people need to keep themselves in shape? Perhaps I'm wrong with my imagined diagnosis.

"Good, tomorrow before sundown work for you?" I ask, beginning to pack away my supplies. I want to be able to leave promptly at lunch time.

"Don't most people run in the mornings?" Taking my example he starts to pack away his books.

"Don't most people find scientific formulas boring?" I retort, my eyes drifting to the clock, five minutes until lunch.

He laughs softly, a smile playing on his lips.

"Got plans for lunch?" I say, enjoying the dimples that appear on his cheeks when he smiles; something I hadn't noticed before.

"Hanging out with Shizune and Misha; the normal."

I feel a stab in my gut - it's like he just punched me, hard. He doesn't even look guilty. Did I honestly think he would forget about them after watching the fireworks? I had hoped. I know, looks-wise, I can't compete with Misha's ample chest or Shizune's cool, sophisticated style. My last boyfriend was blind, Hisao isn't.

"Oh," I mummer, averting my eyes from his traitorous face.

"Is something wrong?" He asks, his eyebrows creasing in a worried frown.

"No, no, it's fine, just anxious to catch one of my friends before he leaves class." It's not untrue, I do want to catch Ryouta before he can escape back into radio lockdown.

Together we sit in silence. With the brief lull in activity behind me I feel my eyes start to droop. Come on you've made it 'till lunchtime. But I still have to talk to Ryouta, and I've upset Hanako, plus Ikuno is still depressed. Pushing my stump into my stomach I ignore the tingling, I just want to go to bed.

Finally the bell resonates through the halls, and the class rises as one. Mutou peers up from his magazine dreamily, apparently realising that we are all still here. Blinking wearily he gets to his feet.

"I understand yesterday was a tiring experience, but I want you to give Miss Miyagi your full attention this afternoon."

Yes, yes, I'll be super interested in English, just let me go.

"Miura can I have a word? The rest of you are excused," he says, his eyes meeting mine.

My classmates look at me curiously as they leave. Some, like Shizune, look downright disapproving. I know I screwed up with Hanako, but can't I get my telling off another time? It's hopeless, in the time it would take me to explain my situation it would already be too late.

Sighing I step forward, determined to receive my detention with head held high. Hell, at least I tried to get through to Hanako, I don't see anyone else doing that. No, I did my best, and if I'm to be punished so be it. Come at me Mutou, I'm not afraid. I stand up a little straighter in front of his desk.

"Now Miss Miura, how are you getting on?" He asks, looking up at me with a creased brow.

"Fine…" I say unsurely. Perhaps he's building slowly to my telling off - would be like him.

"Because I've noticed a decline in the quality of your work since the start of the year." he says matter of factly.

The obvious answer is that between the truth of my accident, Ayumu's absence and a haunted hand, school work has been very low on my list of priorities. Add to that the sense of hopelessness I get whenever I think about the future, and you have a perfect storm for dodged homework.

"I guess I've been falling behind, I will try harder," I mumble, shrugging my shoulders.

"That's not a very motivational statement, Miss Miura."

Well what do you want me to say?

"I'm sorry," I reply, looking down at my feet; not feeling sorry at all.

"Remember you graduate at the end of this year, have you had any thoughts on what you might like to do?" He raises an eyebrow at me. With messy hair and deep bags under his eyes he looks like a zombie. Though, I doubt I look much better.

"Physical therapist," I state simply, that dream now seems so far away, replaced by grim prison cells or dead-end labour.

"Well, that's something at least. I'm unsure about the specific requirements, but I would imagine a good scientific knowledge would be invaluable." He smiles sedately, sitting back down in his squeaking desk chair. "I can provide additional tutoring and homework, as can every teacher at this school, but nothing is going to happen unless you want it to, do you understand?"

Nodding I take a step backwards, hoping I might be able to escape; assuming it's not too late to catch Ryouta. Mutou is right, if I want something I have to work for it, I know that, the question is, what do I want? Well, not additional schoolwork for a start.

"Oh, and thank you for attempting to include Ikezawa; I'm afraid I'm quite at a loss with what to do with her sometimes."

It takes me a moment to realise he's talking about Hanako and another moment still to work out I'm not in trouble. Success. For me anyway. I still can't help but feel I've done more harm than good where Hanako is concerned.

"I don't think I helped much," I grimace, taking another step towards the hallway and freedom.

Mutou picks up his dog eared magazine, interestingly it's this month's issue, he must have read and reread it multiple times. "Well, it remains to be seen, you will tell me if you wish to utilise extra tuition?"

Again I nod, though with his gaze fixed on the magazine I doubt he saw.

"Good," he says, "I will talk to my colleague about what might be required for a physical therapist."

"Err, thanks," I mumble, almost at the door now.

Mutou, quite unconcerned with what I'm doing, puts his feet up on his desk. "Enjoy lunch, Miss Miura."

With a stammered goodbye I flee into the corridor. Please say Ryouta was kept behind as well.

— — —

As expected Ryouta's classroom is deserted. Damn it! I feel like punching something, this is so unfair, why did Mutou decide he had a vested interest in my future today of all days? Resting my head on the cool stone wall I take several deep breaths. Right, focus. Where would Ryouta go?

Pulling out my silenced phone I check for missed calls or messages. Nothing, but I didn't hold out much hope for that particular means of communication. Deciding to check out his normal haunts I set off at brisk pace. Ryouta isn't stupid, despite appearances, he knows I'm looking for him and will not be found easily.

Assuming he even came to school in the first place, he might just have stayed in bed like Ikuno.

Taking the quiet steps two at a time I reach the cafeteria. A wall of buzzing sound hits me as I step through the open doors, barely avoiding having my toes crushed by a boy in a wheelchair, who looks back over his shoulder apologetically before disappearing into the crowd.

I scan the room quickly, trying to find Ryouta's distinctive glasses or plump frame, but it's useless. He could be anywhere in this sea of faces. I begin to walk down the aisles, quickly checking students. A few jump out, but no one whom I wish to talk to.

With a resigned sigh I make my way back through the chattering crowd, I don't feel hungry, though I suspect some food wouldn't go amiss. I have more important things than my stomach to think about at the moment. Stepping back through the white double doors feels like jumping into a pool, the noise level decreases significantly, replaced with half-captured conversations of stragglers left in the hallways.

Think, think, what's the last place he would expect me to go? Aha!

Empowered with fresh determination I head towards the library.

—

I always expect these places to smell musty and old, but in reality the Yamaku school library is fresh and airy. Large windows bathe the room in natural light. Even if I'm not a fan of the books within, I can appreciate a nice place to sit and relax.

Much like a tourist I set off down the isles, bright book spines catching my attention, poking out of light wooden shelves. To my surprise the room that at first glance seemed empty, is hiding a number of students, sequestered on beanbags among the rows of shelves.

Passing a brass plate inscribed with 'Fiction' I spot a familiar shine of dark purple hair - Hanako. With her face buried in a book it seems like she doesn't notice my approach, but her body tenses slightly as I draw nearer. How fucked up was her life before Yamaku?

"Hey," I say quietly, sitting on a squishy red beanbag opposite her.

"M..Miura!" She jumps, peeking up from behind her book, amethyst eyes glittering slightly.

"You can call me Miki, if you want."

"A… a… are you… o… okay?" She stammers, words slightly muffled by the pages of her book, the front cover of which depicts a tiger. I wonder what it's about.

"Yeah, I came to make sure you were okay, after what happened in class?"

"I…I'm o…okay, It.. it was… j… just a sh…shock." she hides behind her book once again.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault…" I trail off, but it's hard feeling sorry for myself around Hanako, it feels insulting. "Listen, if you want to do group work in class; well I don't mind you working with us."

"Y…You and… Hisao?" She looks up suddenly with newfound confidence.

"You know him?" I ask, trying, and failing, not to sound like a gossipy girl.

"He… he seems n… nice, L… Lilly likes him too," She says, as if Lilly's judgement is a true testament of his character.

I vaguely recall that Lilly is the class rep of 2:3, Ayumu's old classroom.

Hang on. Hisao has been here for just about a week, and he is already on the positive radar of at least four girls, five if I include myself, which I'm starting to feel I have to. What the hell? Is animal magnetism a disability now? I mean, it can't be normal, can it? No other boy that I know of has had that effect.

"How do you know Lilly?" I ask, trying not to sound too threatened.

"S…she's my friend, s… she's nice."

"My my, I hope you're not gossiping behind my back Hanako," someone giggles behind us, in unison we turn, I crick my neck in my haste; so this is Lilly?

I'm screwed.

I've seen this girl before, tall and unmistakably foreign she holds herself like a woman of state, or ballroom dancer poised to take to the floor. Her eyes, a dreamy blue are clouded slightly, other than her white cane the only obvious sign of her blindness. This girl is beautiful, and if Hanako is to be believed, Hisao knows that.

"N…no!" Hanako peeps, jumping quickly to her feet.

Lilly however giggles softly, accepting Hanako's arm in hers with a well practiced motion. She puts a lot of effort into pretending she isn't blind, completely unlike Ayumu who did what came naturally to him - it's a interesting change in perspective.

"Sorry, Hanako," she smiles benignly at her shy friend, who covers half her scarred face with her hand.

I want to tell her not to, that I would never judge her because of the scars, however such a statement would only cause embarrassment. Because in my own head, I do judge her, not unkindly, but I can't help but feel motherly around her. Like she's fragile and liable to fall apart if not handled correctly. I don't know how true that is, but better leave it up to the experts.

"But who is your friend? I don't believe we've been introduced?"

"T…t…this.. is… Mi…Miki," Hanako stammers.

"Miki Miura," I finish quickly, keen not to make Hanako suffer anymore than I already have. "I'm in Hanako's class," I say lamely.

"My, then you must know Hisao?" She asks, orienting herself to face me.

Yes, and he's potentially mine once I can sort my life out, so back off.

"Yeah, we spent most of the festival together," I reply, getting to my feet.

"Im glad about that, I worried he was struggling to adjust to life here at Yamaku."

"Well, I think he will be okay, if I can keep him out of the reach of the student council that is," I respond grumpily. To my surprise both Lilly and Hanako giggle cryptically; offering no explanation.

"Hm, I'm afraid Hanako and I must be going. It was nice to meet you, Miss Miura."

"And you," I offer, following them to the doors, where after a brief wave from Hanako, they turn right. Watching them disappear I feel my stomach rumbling, perhaps food wouldn't be that bad of an idea. Give me something to do at least.

With a last look back at the Ryouta-free library I set off to scavenge whatever the cafeteria has left.

—

"Go away!"

"I think you're blocking the doorway," I say sweetly, leaning against the handrail that runs the length of the corridor outside our classrooms.

Ryouta turns, and upon seeing his wheelchair-bound classmate trapped in the doorway steps aside, glowering at me as if I had held him in front of her. "I don't want to talk to you."

"I gathered," I say, following him as he charges away down the corridor.

"How did you mange to get out of class so early? That english teacher normally keeps you and her behind."

"Told her I wasn't feeling well. It's a bad week for me, she understood." I hope my joy at thinking up such a clever excuse and actually managing to catch Ryouta doesn't come across as gloating.

"Fine, but It was all for nothing, because I don't want to talk to you."

In front of us the lift doors open, admitting nearly a full load of students. "Hold the doors!" Ryouta shouts, sprinting the last ten feet or so with the grace of a baby hippo. Squeezing himself in, he turns to me, his eyebrows raised smugly. "Sorry, we're full," folding his arms in victory he lets the doors close in front of him.

Really?

The two flights of stairs are nearly empty as I make my way hastily down to the ground floor, even with only a mild violation of the no running in the corridors rule, I make it before the illuminated lift position indicator has even reached level one. I take back everything I thought about Ryouta not being stupid.

With a pronounced ding the doors slide smoothly open, inside Ryouta's look of triumph turns suddenly to shock. Apparently too stunned to move he stands in the doorway, until his classmate fed up with being kept waiting bumps his ankles with her wheelchair.

"Really?" I ask, as he steps out of the elevator, pacing slowly over to me. "You do know I'm on the track team right?"

"I always thought these things were fast," he grumbles, wandering towards the front doors, but making no effort to lose me.

"Well," I say as way of condolences, "I'm faster."

Grunting in response he follows me out into the grey afternoon. The rainclouds that have lingered all day, like some vast oppressive entity, stare down malevolently at us, threatening to drench us with the slightest provocation.

"Ikuno is really sorry you know," I say, jogging to keep up with his long strides.

Cheeks reddening he shrugs, quickening his pace.

"Come on, Ryouta, you know she didn't mean for this to happen." He leads me from the path and out across the grass, heading directly for the treeline, a small wood surrounds Yamaku on two sides, though I've never ventured within. I don't think we are allowed in, but then again no one has directly said we're not.

"Planning to murder me in the woods?" I ask, only half joking.

"No." he snaps.

In silence we cross the lawns and weave between the trees, the air inside the wood seems colder somehow. leaves from last fall crunch under our feet as we trace a hitherto undisturbed path deep into the damp artificial twilight. Ryouta pushes through the foliage with grim determination.

After what feels like an age of walking we come to a stop in a clearing. I stop in my tracks. Dim light from the cloudy sky above filters through the trees, and where it hits the grounds delicate silver flowers shimmer, as if shivering in the cool air. Without asking permission I stride onto one of the naturally occurring paths, a light breeze drifts between the trunks, causing the trees to sing with the sound of a thousand tiny bells.

"Oh, Ryouta, it's beautiful."

"I know, I was going to bring Ikuno here," he says softly, his head hung.

"You still can," I mumble, bending to have a closer look at the flowers.

"She thinks I'm a joke."

"She loves you. She loves you, and she made a horrible mistake." I say, not looking up. It wasn't my place to reveal how Ikuno felt, but what choice do I have? I can't let these two fall apart, it would be like burning this clearing to the ground.

"I can't do it again, I can't, not like at middle school." Leaf litter crunches as he stamps his foot, his eyes catching mine from across the expanse of shimmering silver.

"It's the risk you take," I sigh. "Man up, Ryouta, if you love her, you'll fight."

"Yeah? So when are you going to man up Miki?"

His turnaround catches me off guard, I almost stumble as I stand. "What do you mean?"

"Ikuno told me you like Hisao, but I think you're too scared to admit it."

"How did…" I trail off as he speaks over me.

"If you want him, you need to tell him, before someone else does."

Saying nothing I turn away. How the hell has he made this about me? Still, he's right - girls circle around Hisao like sharks, and I have only one choice if I want something more. But the very thought is terrifying, it feels like the deepest of betrayals, how can I move on from Ayumu so quickly? How can I love him, with what I've done?

"Then you will talk to Ikuno?" I demand.

"I guess, you'll talk to Hisao." he says, just as defiantly.

"I guess."

We share a smile, across a sea of captured moonlight.