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Kanade groaned as she left the hospital. It wasn't a successful visit, but at least her father was awake. He didn't remember her, but Kanade talked to him. That was enough. Kanade felt the spring sunlight shining on her pale skin. Maybe she should put on the hat Mizuki bought her. After all, it feels more like summer than spring with the warm rays and little breeze. Kanade decided some music would distract her from the heat, and put on her headphones.
Suddenly, something shifted. People started running to where Kanade was standing, phone in hand. Some were screaming, some were talking to each other. Kanade heard people talking around her, people taking out their cameras to film. At first, Kanade thought maybe it was some kind of celebrity she hadn't heard about. Then, she looked up.
Someone was going to jump from the building.
Kanade froze. What was she supposed to do? Why weren't people doing anything? Why weren't people stopping that person?
Nobody was doing anything. Nobody was fucking doing anything. Everyone was just filming, some were laughing at the person like a psycho. And Kanade couldn't do anything.
Wh-What- Kanade froze in place, her breath hitching. Part of her was screaming to do something. Call the police, run up and stop the person, anything. But she couldn't. What a useless saviour she was.
Kanade's vision blackened. Breathing was difficult. Why was it so damn hard to breathe? Kanade couldn't do anything. She didn't do fucking anything.
The chatter around her died down as a harsh ring started to tear through Kanade's hearing. It was so difficult to do anything.
"-ade."
Why aren't people doing anything?
"-nade."
I need to do something! Anything! They're going to die!
"-ade!"
Move. Fucking move. Dosomethingdosomethingdosomethingdosomething
"Kanade!"
A loud shout and a pull at her wrist shook Kanade out of her thoughts. Mafuyu was looking at her with a concerned look.
"Let's get out of here." Mafuyu said firmly as she took Kanade's hand and ran to Kanade's house. When they arrived inside, Mafuyu looked at Kanade.
"Are you okay?" Mafuyu asked, but before she could finish her question, Kanade burst into tears.
"Why didn't anyone do anything? Why was everyone filming like it was some kind of entertainment?" Kanade cried. Mafuyu stayed silent.
"Why couldn't I do anything? Am I not supposed to save people? I need to- I need to save people- I-"
"No." Mafuyu said firmly. She grabbed Kanade's hand.
"You were having a panic attack. You couldn't have done anything when you couldn't even breathe. You should have taken care of yourself first in that situation." Mafuyu said. Kanade felt tears trailing down her face.
"But-"
"No. I don't want to hear it. At the end of the day, Kanade..." Mafuyu sighed.
"Everything worked out. Somebody else pulled that person away from the roof. And by the helicopter sounds outside, the police were informed as well. You're not the only one that has to save people, Kanade. Right now... You need to think of yourself first." Mafuyu said. Kanade looked down.
"I'm sorry." Kanade whispered.
"Don't be. I... I had a lot of thoughts about people as well. I was coming back from school when my classmates started livestreaming it." Mafuyu said, and sighed deeply.
"Those people don't understand what it's like to be suicidal. To be driven to that point. That's not your fault, Kanade." Mafuyu said, hugging Kanade.
"It's not your fault. So don't call yourself a useless saviour."