Chapter 6 – Anthrophobia & Admissions (Part 1)

Chitose's POV

The rest of the week didn't get any better for Akari. From what I heard, Chinastu got sick after taking Akari home that day. And the responsibility of guiding her around school was, oddly enough, given to Sakurako. She seemed really eager to do it, too.

But due to her…let's just say "not so great" memory, Sakurako kept leaving Akari behind. Resulting in Akari having to attempt walking by herself. And with her bumping into many walls, desks, and other people, it was definitely something a lot of us were against her doing.

It wasn't until 2 days later that our worries became true when Akari fell down the stairs due to it being blocked from her missing left eye. And, unfortunately, everyone that was in the area had a good laugh at her. Making the already bad bullying increase to a worse degree. And all of that resulted in Akari refusing to come to school. As she hasn't been seen in 4 days.

It's now been a week since Akari's injury took place. Everyone was extremely worried about her. And I was no exception. I truly do miss the old, innocent, and always happy Akari. The one who was friendly to everyone and would even hand me tissues whenever I was having one of my fantasies.

...

Now that I think about it...I've been having fewer yuri fantasies lately. Whether it is because of what going on with Akari or Kyoko's sudden absence, I'm not really sure. But the fact is that I haven't gotten off in days and it's starting to get to me...

I was walking around the shopping district doing a couple of errands on a free weekend that I have. I've been really busy as of late. Our grandmother, who Chizuru and I used to live with, recently passed away. And with me being the oldest of the two (by only a minute) and our parents not exactly in our lives (long story. Don't want to talk about it), I had to step up and take responsibility for the house, bills, and all that other stuff. Which is also why I started working not too long ago. It's all tiring. But...

...As long as I get to see such DREAMY little cuties being served the most KAWAII sweets in the world, it's all worth it~! *giggle*

"Now let's see...I got the fruits, veggies, meats, snacks...Yes! That's everything! And I even have enough left over to buy some more lesbian porn! I'M THE BEST SHOPPER EVE-"

*BAM*

"Ow..." I winced in slight pain after bumping into someone with a black hoodie over their head. Causing us both to fall to the floor. "Ah! I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying atten-"

"N-No! D-Don't look at me! St-Stop laughing at me! I-I'm not a freak! Leave me alon...O-Oh. I-It's just you, Chitose." The person said after having some sort of panic attack. And I immediately recognized the voice, too. But it sounded...scratchier than how it normally sounded.

"A-Akari? Is that you?" I asked as I helped her up off the floor. "What was that screaming just now?"

"W-Well...I-I thought you were a bully. S-So I panicked. S-Sorry for scaring you..."

"It's okay, really. It's my fault for spacing out, anyway."

She thought I was…a bully?

"Y-You know...it's been a while since anyone has last seen you. What have you been doing this whole time?"

"Oh...well...you know. Emotionally suffering...losing all happiness...accepting the cruel fate the universe has given me. The usual..."

"I-I see..."

Th...Th-The usual?

"U-Um...why are you wearing a hoodie? It's pretty warm out."

"To avoid having people look at me. Every time they do, I get looks of disgust, laughed at, bullied to the point where I break down and cry...I'm just a disgusting freak of nature to everyone."

"Wh-What? Akari, that's ridiculous. Nobody thinks you're a disgusting freak of nature."

"Mommy, Mommy! Look at the disgusting freak of nature!" Said a little boy who was passing by.

"Honey, don't go near her. You'll catch The Ugly." The mother said as she dragged the boy away from us.

Catch "The Ugly"? Really?! I was disgusted with what I just heard.

"WAAAAH! S-See?! Th-That's what I wanted to avoid! WAAAAH!" Akari began to cry as she fell back down to the ground.

"Don't listen to them. They're just a bunch of jerks."

"J-Jerks that enjoy making me cry! I-I haven't stopped in days!"

"D-Days?" I went silent for a bit. "Is that why your voice sounds scratchy?"

"*sniff* Y-Yeah. W-When I fell down the stairs at school...a-and everyone laughed and bullied me for it...I-I *sniff* r-ran home crying and stayed in my room. Refusing to come out for days. The only reason I *sniff*...came out today was to get some throat medicine. Due to the fact that I *sniff*...cried so much, my voice cracked."

"Oh, dear..."

I truly felt horrible for Akari and what she's been through. The fact that for the past 4 days, she's locked herself in her room and cried non-stop because of the constant bullying for her only having one eye was pure heartbreaking for me. And she was going to go back home and do it AGAIN! I couldn't let her do that! I had to think of something! But what?

...

Then at the last second, something came to me.

"H-Hey, Akari! I'm just about finished with these errands. How's about we go do something together to cheer you up a bit?"

"H-Huh? Well…I-I don't know…"

"Come on, please? We could make a date out of it."

"A-A date?!" Akari was blushing a little from what I said.

"Why are you so shocked? You are a lesbian, aren't you?"

"W-Well, uh…I-I guess. I-I've never given it any thought..."

"I see."

Makes sense since people were ignoring and now bullying her...

"Then let's think of it as just two lesbian friends hanging out. Catching the sights, having a nice conversation, looking for a couple of girls to get lucky with…"

"I-Ignoring the "get lucky" part..." Akari gained a sweatdrop. "...I-I'm still not sure if I can do it. I-I get scared of being anywhere near a stranger now due to the constant bullying. I-I might...g-go into a panic attack again..."

"So, that's common now, huh?"

I've heard of this condition Akari now has. It's called anthrophobia. The fear of other people. The bullying must've traumatized her to the point where she can no longer trust others. She'd rather sit at home alone and cry than be around the society that's been treating her like crap for only having one eye.

Convincing her to stay outside with me isn't going to be easy...but I have to try! For the wellness of one of my dearest friends!

"Well, we could try…"

"HEY! CHITOSE!"

"*shriek* M-More people are coming!" Akari screamed from another panic attack as she hid deeper inside her hoodie. Meanwhile, I noticed Sakurako running toward me. Waving excitedly as she looked pretty happy to run into me here.

"Oh. Hello, Sakurako." I greeted her. "What brings you here?"

"Uh, well…I forgot. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't important anyway."

"I see..." I gained a sweatdrop.

If she's saying that, then it must've been important…

"Hey, who's this guy in the hoodie?"

"Um...well…" And as I tried to come up with a way to explain this...

"H-Hey…S-Sakurako…"

"W-Wait...Akari?! Wh-What happened to your voice?!"

"It cracked. Due to the amount of crying I've been doing."

"Is that why you've been out of school these past four days?"

You could barely see it, but Akari did a small nod suggesting yes.

"Akari…" Sakurako went silent as she grew a sad look on her face. "...I...I-I'm sorry for forgetting to guide you around! It's my fault your voice ended up like that! Please let me make it up to you!"

W-Wow...I've never seen Sakurako so caring about someone else before. It's like a new side of her...

"Sakurako..." Akari said. Just as shocked as I was."...I-I accept your apology. But...I really don't to be out here. I rather stay hidden from the world. The only thing I've ever been good at."

"OH, THAT'S A LOAD OF BULLSHIT! You're way more special than that!"

"She's right, Akari." I added.

"Sp-Special? M-Me?"

"Yep! And I'm going to prove it to you! Let's go!"

"W-Wait! Y-You mean now?! H-Hold on a sec-WAH!"

But it was too late to back out now (as if she had the chance to, anyway). Sakurako had grabbed Akari's hand and was now dragging her down the shopping district to the nearest exit. Akari held her hood down with the freehand she had, hiding her face from the public.

"H-Hey! Sakurako! Wait for me!" I yelled while chasing after them as fast as I could possibly run (which wasn't much). I know I said before that I was busy. But the back of my mind was telling me to go with them and make sure Sakurako didn't do anything crazy with Akari.

I guess this date just turned into a threesome...

Author's Note: There really isn't much to say here. This chapter received the least changes between the original, 1st rewrite, and now rebooted version. In fact, Chitose will probably be one of the few characters to not have any issues to deal with. It could change later on…but this is how it stands now.

Thanks for reading. Later.