Act 1 – Chapter Three: Debate and Confrontation

As we sit down in the tea room, Lilly and I begin the process of making lunch. I had only expected there to be two of us, so some adjustments are required in the amount everyone has to eat, but this is of little concern as Lilly starts to make the tea. I get out the lunchboxes we had previously packed, setting out food for three.

"So," Hisao asks, "is this what you meant by coming here almost every day?"

"Yes, Hanako and I usually have lunch here." Lilly replies. "It suits both of us, so we ended up using this room regularly."

Hisao looks briefly towards me, and I can guess what must be going through his mind. It's much easier for me to eat here than in the cafeteria, surrounded by people. And Lilly is always beset with issues and matters relating to being a student rep – it gives her a much-needed break being away from everyone else. I have no such requirements of her time, so eating together gives us both a rest. Hisao sits down after the tea has been poured, taking the seat next to mine. I almost shy away at his closeness, but just about keep myself in check. I have the chance to make a new friend here, and showing my potential weakness will help no-one. I want them to see me as a strong individual, after all, and flinching at someone simply sitting by me will hardly do anything to aid that. I try to relax, smile slightly at Hisao, and start to eat.

Lilly is the first to break the silence. "So, how are you faring in Yamaku, Hisao? You seemed a bit flustered before."

What a way for her to avoid the topic of her own embarrassment from earlier. With not noticing Hisao and with her failing to realise sooner what had happened during the incident with Emi, Lilly is still feeling rather uncertain of herself. Definitely not like her. Bringing up Hisao's own uncertainty is a great way for her to deflect attention from herself, while also getting a chance to learn more about the newcomer and make him more at ease in Yamaku itself. Hisao takes in stride regardless.

"Apart from getting lost every now and again, and being crash-tackled outside my classroom? Fine, I guess..."

I can't help but speak up here. I do still worry about Hisao after being nearly knocked out by the speeding bullet that is Emi. "You... you looked pretty hurt before. Are you really... okay?"

Something flickers on Hisao's face for the briefest of moments, before it returns to a normal expression once more. It's enough to confirm for me that something is wrong, or was wrong at any rate, and that his condition has something to do with it. He refrains from giving details though, refusing to say exactly what his condition is.

"Yeah, it's nothing. I was just a bit startled."

I certainly don't believe it. I steal a look at Lilly, and she doesn't seem to agree either. Neither of us are stupid. We know when someone isn't being completely straight with us. But I don't want to drive Hisao to tell us something he clearly doesn't want to discuss - I can sympathise with him enough there. Lilly, too, chooses not to push the subject. There's too much pain down that road. Everyone here has their own tale to tell, whether it be something like my own story, or simply mundane – Lilly's blindness from birth, for example. Whether we choose to tell our tales is something for each individual to decide. Privacy is paramount here at Yamaku.

"So, uh..." Hisao starts. "How long have you been in this school? You both seem to know your way around pretty well."

"Hmm... well, I've been here since the start of high school, but only moved into the dormitories a year ago." Lilly would have started here early, of course, since her blindness wasn't a recent thing. Anything to make life a little bit easier. "Hanako joined at the start of high school as well, and moved to the dormitories when she did, if memory serves me right."

"That's right," I confirm. "Since... high school." It would have been too difficult for me to spend even the smallest amount of time in a regular high school. Too many questions, too many people staring. Too much abuse.

Hisao continues the conversation, clearly curious to know more about us. "So you've known each other since then?"

"Since I moved, yes," says Lilly. "Hanako lives next door to me, so it's only natural, right?"

She looks at me to confirm what she is saying. "R-right."

"Yeah, of course," Hisao says. That isn't the full story, and Hisao looks at me as if to say he knows the real reason. Lilly wasn't the first person to take a room next to me, but the others weren't blind. They could still see my scars. And I could still see the distance they kept.

The conversation ends rather abruptly. There's not really much more to talk about at this point. We continue eating in silence.

The bell sounds for the end of lunch, and Lilly and I clear away our lunches.

"I guess we'd better be off," Lilly says. "Are you going to go with Hisao, Hanako?"

My first reaction is to say no. I may not mind Hisao's company so much, but being alone with him on the walk to Mutou-sensei's class is too much for me right now. Too much awkwardness. I even think of perhaps skipping this class to avoid walking with Hisao. But that wouldn't benefit anyone, and the slight hint of a smile on Lilly's face is enough to convince me otherwise. I voice my consent in a small voice.

"Y-yes."

Hisao has a hint of concern in his voice, but I feel compelled to brush it aside. I've made my decision. "We should hurry then. Class has already started by the sound of it." We leave together quickly, and say our goodbyes to Lilly as she nods towards us, reaching down for her cane. She hurries after us though, and turns to Hisao to speak before entering her own classroom.

"Hisao, thank you for sharing lunch with us today."

"My pleasure, Lilly," he replies. With the formalities over, Lilly disappears into her class, leaving Hisao and I standing together in the corridor. I still feel nervous, and reconsider the idea of skipping to spend an afternoon in the library.

Apparently Hisao has picked up on that. "So, do you really want to go back to class now?"

I have to stay strong! I have to maintain my resolve. "Y-yes."

"Okay then," Hisao says. There is another awkward silence. Eager to avoid any further discussion, he opens the rear door of the classroom. I follow him into the room to see Mutou-sensei looking at Hisao with the start of a lecture on his lips. However, the instant he sees me, whatever he was about to say is lost, and he keeps quiet while nodding at us both. I wonder what could be going through his mind right now? Or through the minds of our fellow classmates. Hisao looks back at me, but doesn't say a word. His eyes flicker toward the desks where Shizune and Misha usually sit. They're empty. Yet Mutou doesn't seem to have any objection there, either. At least, none that has been so far articulated. The class continues. I sit down and try to work as much as possible.

The next day is routine as always. I wake, I wash, I dress, I head to class. What follows isn't quite as routine, however. I am about to enter Mutou's classroom, early for once, when I hear raised voices. I didn't plan to be quite so early, but I already owed Mutou-sensei some work, and if I handed it in with enough time to spare I could always spend the first period in the library again. The voices are familiar. One in particular.

"Today! The deadline is today! You're certainly taking your time, aren't you..."

Misha, of course. I decide to listen for a short while, though half of what is being said is just about inaudible to my ears through the door. Clearly Lilly's managed to catch Misha, and Shizune, at the wrong time, and is now paying the price for it. I'm somewhat surprised though, not to mention intrigued, to hear another voice.

"Hey, Shizune, aren't you being a little too hard on her? There's still a whole day left."

I didn't expect to hear Hisao's voice crop up here, but it takes a back seat in my mind. As I listen I hear the conversation devolve into a full-on confrontation between Lilly and Shizune. With Misha's voice, of course. I've grown rather good at reading between Misha's lines, even when I can't actually see her as she talks. Or yells. It sounds like Lilly is becoming more agitated, while Shizune is thriving in the atmosphere that no doubt permeates the room. I can just imagine the grin spread across Shizune's face, that Lilly can't see. It makes me angry on Lilly's behalf, but I know better than to go in and join the conflict. Much better to sit this one out.

"Are you accusing me of slacking off?" says Misha, on Shizune's behalf. "It seems like you're confusing me with yourself..."

"I don't think so," comes the reply. "That would be a very difficult thing for me to do, comparing myself to you."

"You're right, the difference between us is like heaven and hell."

"And it's not hard to guess which one you might represent." A harsh sentiment, but no less accurate coming from Lilly's lips. It's enough to keep even Misha silent for a brief moment.

"Hicchan! Don't you slack off either..." Misha comments, clearly an attempt by Shizune to restore her control of the argument. A vain hope, as Lilly's barbed comeback has ruffled her feathers more than a little.

"What are you talking about?" He seems very out of his depth.

"Aren't you taking part in the festival, Hicchan? You are, aren't you? Then! I hope you're going to do a lot more to make sure it goes smoothly than this person!"

"Hey, I'm the new guy, remember? It's not like I could've done much, even if I'd wanted..." Hisao jumps on the defensive.

"That's right," comes the added boost from Lilly, "you shouldn't expect a transfer student to jump right into it on his first week."

Hisao's next comment is more than enough to add to my faith in him, as well as give more light to Lilly's newly found confidence against Shizune. "Yeah, you're being unreasonable with us both."

I smile at this. Despite all the reservations I had about Hisao, I can see that he does care, and my respect for him grows immensely. He doesn't simply defend himself, but comes to Lilly's aid as well, presenting a united front against Shizune's pressure. When Misha next speaks for Shizune, she sounds audibly defeated, as though there is little either can do to salvage the situation in their benefit.

"Excuses, excuses. Miss Class Rep has had plenty of time to deal with her report. And we repeatedly offered you a position to help with the student council work, but you refused to commit yourself to making the festival a success."

Shizune and Misha are simply repeating the same arguments as before, as if they hope that shouting loudly enough (how ironic) will be enough for them to 'win'. Hisao notices this too, and refuses to let them trap him in an ever recycling debate.

"Yeah, but as I said back then, I'm not sure if... Whatever. Forget it."

It's clear that the discussion is over. Before I am caught eavesdropping, I swiftly turn on my heel and walk away, heading towards the tea room. I don't return to class, but it's a close call. I had already made plans to catch up later, and there's no way I feel strong enough today to face my classmates, but I would love to see Shizune's face after her defeat this morning...