Akatsuki Runa. There are several gossips wandering around Kuoh Academy about her. Being the star performer of last year's festival, especially as the vocalist of the Light Music Club tends to do that to anyone. In the first place, she is quite the average high school girl like me. There's nothing notable about her except after her band's infamous performance. So when she suddenly vanished from the school at the start of the second year, of course people will talk about her.

One such gossip is that she ran away from a broken home family. Another tells that she is kidnapped and being held as hostage. Ridiculous. All of them.

If people think using their heads, searching using their wit, and not just throwing gossips, then they would realize that even in the first year, her attendance was so low that she barely passed to the second grade with average scores. How would I know? Well, it's because I use my head, my wit, and my mouth to search anything about the previously unknown girl who has a golden voice whose performance was good enough to be the best performers and then goes missing. Really, some people. They just want the easier and juicier method of talking about other people.

Like I said, I like their performance. I know they are good. That's why earlier in the afternoon I asked the Light Music Club to play a song. And that's also why I researched about the previously unknown girl with a golden voice. Akatsuki Runa was her name, and her attendance is so low. But that's the end of what I know. I don't know why she missed school, since when I asked around to the teachers, all they say is that she got permission from school. I assume it must be important, and I can't exactly confirm it or anything.

So when other students gossip about ridiculous things about her, I know enough that at least she informs the school so and the school approves her absences. But if I had to guess, it's either medical condition or some other complication that forces her to not come to school.

As I lounge around on my bed, I check my phone to see if there's any call or mails that I miss. The monitor displays the time as eight fifteen. Riku and I already had a nice dinner earlier. But as usual, my parents wouldn't be back until at least ten thirty to eleven.

As it stands now, I am in the wrong. Thus I start to write a mail to Akihito with the intention to apologize. It seemed like I brought up a bad topic.

Hey, Akihito-san. I'm sorry for earlier. I hope you all have the capacity to forgive me.

Before long, the reply comes.

It's okay. It's just that you were asking so suddenly. I forgive you, but I don't know about the others. Why don't you come back tomorrow? You still have to return Mary's clothes, right? I think we can play a song for you.

I'll be there.

That is my short reply. If Akihito wants me to come tomorrow, why shouldn't I? and besides I intend to apologize to each member of Light Music Club anyway, it will make it easier for me.

Speaking of mails, I forget that I want to send Hyoudou a messages,

Oi, is Argento living with you? Also, help her learn kanji.

Yes. I noticed when we talked yesterday that Argento referred to Hyoudou's mother as 'Mother'. The next thing that came out of her mouth was also about Hyoudou. I put two and two together, but I want to confirm it with Hyoudou. It can be my ammunition to tease him. Heh. I couldn't stop a grin to form on my face.

W-what? How do you know? And yeah, I'm helping her. Still, how do you know? I never see you two interact.

I never know you can stutter on text messages.

Girls have their own way to know anything, duh.

Scary! Onee-chan is scary!

My face goes red in embarrassment.

D-Don't you suddenly 'Onee-chan' me like that! I almost got a heart attack!

I never know you can stutter on text messages.

I should be the one saying that to you!

Honestly, after a tiring day like today, just chatting around about nothing with Hyoudou is actually relieving. I notice that Hyoudou looks happier for some reason. Several days ago he was like moody and broody. Whatever the reason is, I'm glad.

Oh yeah, if you do not see me and Asia tomorrow in class, then don't worry. The Occult Research Club is having a field trip. I heard we're going to chase a lead which can lead us to a lead about a real youkai. Buchou said it'll take approximately two weeks.

I let the information sink before I reply.

And? Why are you telling me this?

Well, duh. That's because you're my big sister. It's your job to worry about me.

I press the power button. Hard.

Putting my body inside my blanket, I try to banish the thought of Hyoudou smiling to me as he said that.

Suffice to say, I failed. And I couldn't sleep the entire night.

Damn it, Hyoudou!

True to his words, the next day I can't find Hyoudou nor can I find Argento. Their absent isn't noticed by the others in my class, but I'm sure it would, later. I wonder how Hyoudou would deal with that. Maybe he'll just ignore it, like he did to many other rumours about him. Sometimes I envy that side of him. I can probably shrug off any rumours about mine if there is any, but I'm sure it would still linger in my heart for about a week or so.

Thus I spend the school hours dutifully, as do other students. Well, math still sucks, but because I have tutoring session with Akihito, lately I'm trying to put my effort to understand the lesson that is taught in class. After math, comes Japanese history. I understand the need to differentiate between modern history and Japanese history, otherwise people would make mistake such as Tachibana Muneshige is one of the big players in Spanish Armada, thank you, modern literature. But still… it's pain in the ass.

When lunch break comes, I mail Akihito about my coming to his band practice. Yesterday he said okay, but he hadn't talked to the other. I don't know if the other would accept me coming or not, so I mail him. The content is asking about what the other members think. Since I create such a heavy atmosphere yesterday, I believe one or two wouldn't want me.

His reply comes when lunch break is about to end. The other said yes.

Sigh. Actually if they said no, it would make it easier for me. After all, I offended them as a stranger. Therefore, if I apologize it would also as a stranger. What does that entail? Well, when putting myself on their shoes, one day you are comfortably practicing with your friends, suddenly this one girl come out of nowhere, did nothing, and suddenly demands you to play a song which can't be fulfilled because a complication with the vocalist. No matter what the other would say, personally I won't forgive her.

Wow, such hate to myself.

In my defence, yesterday afternoon was a tiring day. My patience wasn't as big as others think, and I snapped. I still feel guilty though, no matter what I think to defend myself. I guess that's what makes human, human. The feeling of guilt.

So with a heavy thought inside my head, the school hours continue.