Chapter Text
The bell rang, signaling the start of lunch break. I had asked Honami if she wanted to eat together, but she declined.
“Shiho, I... I’m going to have lunch with some friends, I’m sorry...”
“It’s fine, Honami. Don’t worry about it. I’ll go find Ichika.”
Saki couldn't come today. She sent us a message saying she was sick and couldn't even get out of bed.
That girl... She was crying as if she were about to die, even though it was just a simple cold that hit her harder than usual. I know she needs to avoid getting sick as much as possible since she's still fragile, but Tsukasa is taking care of her. At least, that's what I heard from Emu.
“Shiho?” Ichika asked when I went up to the rooftop. I just showed her my lunchbox, and she understood what I was trying to say.
“This place feels... peaceful,” she told me.
“Yeah, it does feel really peaceful...” I replied, unwrapping the sandwich I had made this morning. “They say a storm is coming this weekend. Last time we had one, we were without power for a whole day.”
Ichika let out a soft laugh while taking a bite of... I think it's bread, but I'm not entirely sure.
“Yeah, me too... Though... it doesn't bring back very good memories.”
...Right. Ichika’s parents, they... It was a pretty severe storm the day it happened.
“...I know it’s hard for you, Ichika. But... they’re always watching over you. Wherever they are.”
Ichika let out a sad sigh before taking another bite of her food.
“I know, but... it’s hard, you know?”
“...It’s always hard, Ichika.” I stepped closer to her, placed a hand on her shoulder, and gave her a faint smile. “You know you still have us, right?”
“Yeah, I guess...”
We finished lunch about 10 minutes before the end of the break. The rooftop was as quiet as ever, so we decided to stay there. Honami could survive a day without being glued to us.
“Ichika...” I said, trying to be as non-intrusive as possible.
“Yeah?”
“...Are you feeling okay?”
Ichika almost choked on her drink. I was about to help her, but it wasn't anything serious.
“Of course! I’m feeling as good as ever, Shiho. Why?”
I had noticed Ichika acting... different for several days now. The dark circles under her eyes seemed permanent at this point, and her focus during rehearsals was slightly worse. And when we walked together to the avenue... it seemed like Ichika didn't want to go back home.
“...You look different. The dark circles, the fact that you’re constantly distracted. Even... you don't look happy about going home. Is something going on at home?”
Ichika remained silent for a moment. Her expression even seemed to darken. It felt like I had touched a sensitive spot.
“...Promise me you won't tell anyone, please.” I nodded. “Alright... Just don't tell Saki-chan or Honami.” Ichika stood up and leaned against the railing. I did the same, keeping my eyes on her. “My grandfather... he’s been taking care of me since the accident. But... it’s complicated.”
“Complicated in what way?”
“Everything seems to bother him. When I practice some chords, when I sing by myself, even when I use my laptop a bit too loudly.” Ichika sighed. “Even when I tell him I’m going out with you guys, he gets angry.”
“He’s... he’s old, Ichika. It’s normal for him to get annoyed by some things.”
“It wouldn't be so bad, but... he always criticizes me for it. He makes a scene over the smallest things. If I refuse something he offers me, if I leave my room, if I don't leave my room.” Ichika clenched her fist against the railing. “He often tells me that music won't get me anywhere. That I should give it up.”
“...” I didn't know what to say to Ichika.
I just froze.
“Look, it’s not that he doesn't care about me. But he has a strange way of looking out for me.”
I clenched my fists until my knuckles turned white. I stared at Ichika.
“...Get out of there.”
“Huh?”
“If he really treats you like that, then... you should leave. Or at least talk to him. Something.”
“I’ve talked to him, but it’s no use,” she said, gripping the edge of her skirt.
“Then get out of there!” I shouted. “Look, I know it’s hard to make a decision like that, but... we can find a solution for you. You could stay with Honami or Saki while we figure out what to do. Or with me. We have an extra room that maybe—”
Ichika smiled before grabbing me by the shoulders.
“I understand what you’re saying, Shiho. But I can't... I can endure it, you know? I don't want him to feel bad.”
“But—”
“I appreciate you trying to help, Shiho. But I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to be treated like an orphan or anything like that. It’s really not as bad as it sounds.” Ichika sighed before heading to the stairs. “I’ve endured it for a year, I can handle more. At least until I graduate.”
...
I didn't know what to say. I want to help her, but I know I can't force her to do something she’s not willing to do right now. I could talk to Honami and Saki, but I promised her.
“...If you insist, I’ll drop it for now,” I said, before firming my voice. “But promise me you’ll let me know about anything. The smallest thing. I want you to tell me if something happens. And the offer to stay at my house will always be there, got it?”
Ichika laughed.
“Alright, Shiho. I will.”
“...and that was the whole exam,” Honami finished explaining. “I think I did pretty poorly... Even though Ena-san told me later that my drawing turned out well, my teacher is really strict.”
“The art teacher?” I asked, stretching my arms. “Yeah, he’s pretty strict sometimes. Why did you choose art, Honami? You know you’re still not very good at drawing, and that teacher takes his exams way too personally.”
“I’m not really sure, I guess I wanted to try something different. Besides, since Ena-san is teaching me, I thought I’d improve a bit.”
“Of course you’re going to improve, Honami,” Ichika said, after staring at the ground with an indecipherable look on her face. “But I agree with Shiho, if you’re not at that level yet, you shouldn’t have picked art.”
“What do I do now? I don’t want to fail...”
“The teacher is strict, but he doesn’t usually fail anyone. Last time I had class with him, he ended up giving us a group project where his grading was super lenient.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” I added. “Minori told me that when she had him, nobody failed, no matter how strict he was.”
We kept talking about classes as we reached the main avenue. Even though I tried to ignore it, I couldn’t help but keep looking at Ichika. She looked fine, but at the same time, you could tell she was trying hard not to think about something. And it seemed like it was getting harder for her the closer we got to the avenue.
...I really want to help her, but she’s always going to refuse my help. Unless something really bad happens, she won’t change her mind. She’s so stubborn...
“I guess this is where we split up, Honami.”
“Right.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Honami. Hopefully with Saki-chan.”
Honami nodded, smiling as we all went our separate ways. I looked at Ichika one last time: she was walking way too fast compared to how she usually walked home.
I got home about 5 minutes later than usual. My dad had bought steak and they were preparing it for dinner. For some reason, Shizuku had come home really early too.
Did she cancel her practice with Minori, Airi, and Haruka, maybe?
“Is something wrong, Shiho?”
“No, no. Nothing’s wrong, Mom,” I said, quickly remembering my conversation with Ichika that afternoon. “...Actually, can we talk about something important?”