A/N: Even longer chapter release, lately school has been weighing down on me…
I plan to conclude this in one or two more chapters, but somewhat confused as to end it or not, because right after Yobanashi Deceive (the song is awesome btw), there will be a song titled "Lost Time Memory" [The story that is burned into one's eyes] it is said to tell about the present Shintaro*YESH SHINTARO'S GOT 2 SONGS BIATCH*. And hopefully it can answer the many questions raised in Toumei Answer…
*ehem. I'll end my rant here. Enjoy this poorly/lazily made chapter 3…
In the end, it seemed like I didn't know anything after all.
I had no idea what was she doing right now, alone by herself in the classroom. Last time I checked, she was smiling like her usual self.
Then why does it look like she was... crying?
And yet, why couldn't I bring myself to comfort, or at least talk to her?
I found myself peeking between the sliding doors of my class, and it seemed Ayano's here… it looked like she was crying, and my conscience told me to talk to her, but my mind hesitated. Since when did I have any right to go butting on other people's business?
But on the other side of the door was Ayano, not just some other person. She was the one who kept butting into my business, and I was feeling oddly glad that she did. The always smiling-klutz was looking out the window while shedding tears. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to look at her like this.
I gathered up my courage and I took a step into the classroom. This was the least I can do for everything she has done to me, like that time on the roof.
"Ayano."
"!? Ah… Shintaro?"
Wiping off her tears, she seemed visibly surprised at me. I agree, this wasn't like me to care for another person besides myself.
"What are you doing here, all alone?"
"I, uh…"
"… Are you okay?"
Not bothering to wait for her response, I inquired again. If I didn't know any better, she would have searched for a reason not to worry me.
"You saw it from the beginning, didn't you?" There was a little pause before she replied . A forced, giving up-kind of smile graced her face. It bothers me, it just isn't right to watch her like this.
"Unfortunately, yes. Do you… need someone to talk to, maybe?"
... I hadn't thought about that. What would people do at times like these? What words should come out?
At my hopeless attempt to talk to her, she smiled. Definitely a lighter smile than the last, but still not her usual smile.
"Thank you, Shintaro… but I would like to be left alone right now."
"…Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. It's not like you to worry about others like this, right?"
"Look who's talking."
"Haha, my bad."
Good, her timid and sheepish smile had come back. There was still something missing though…
"Anyway, could you leave me alone right now? I want to think about a few things…"
"Alright, alright. Just don't push yourself."
I was glad, she seemed to be recovering quickly, though I still had yet to ask her what those 'things' she mentioned and most importantly, why was she crying. Well, it was already a lot that I came to talk to her.
Just when I started to walk out of the room…
"Hey, Shintaro?"
When I turned around, she had this look on her face that said she had something important to say to me.
"Hmm?"
"… Nevermind."
"Come on, what is it?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Off you go, now shoo-shoo!"
"Okay, okay, walking out now."
Left confused, I left the classroom. But just before I closed the door, I think I heard her say something, it was faint but I think she said:
"Gomen ne, Shintaro-kun."
Now I'm even more confused.
Why did she say sorry?
Why was she crying?
"Ayano…"
I just couldn't figure out her mind, and that fact alone made me more frustrated than anything, I wonder why.
I hadn't realized, just when I had closed the door to the classroom, the unseen gears of fate began to turn, and no one, with the exception of those eyes, could do anything after that point.
End of Chapter 3.