Good morning

III

We all sat down on the empty soccer field and started eating together.

It was quiet while we ate, so you know the buns were really good.

Miku took a break from eating to say something. "We should do this tomorrow." It wasn't in her usual cheerful tone, she sounded kind of sad.

"Miku? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just... I feel like we're forgetting each other."

Me and Chinen stared at Miku.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ever since we became third years, we haven't talked or spoken at all! We don't even see each other in the halls anymore! I don't want to forget you Mieru!" Her eyes had welled up with tears as she looked up at me.

Those words had never been said to me before. I liked them. They sounded so real. I wanted to forget them... I thought they'd be fine with never talking with me again. I thought they only put up with me because we were in the same class.

That's how it was for me anyways...

"When we were friends in our first year. I didn't think much of it honestly. In my head I called you both 'Friends only by name'."

They looked at each other, obviously confused.

"So... I thought you'd be fine never talking to me again. So I never tried to talk to you. I never came over to your class... I never offered to meet up after school, I deleted your numbers... I thought we were over..."

"Mireru..."

"So listen! I don't... I don't want to forget you guys either! And I don't want to be forgotten!"

They smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

"So we agree?"

"Hmm?"

"We won't ever forget each other?"

"Right!"

The next day when I left my house I found Chinen and Miku waiting for me.

"Come on!" Chinen smiled and waved me over.

"Hurry up, hurry up!"

"You guys didn't have to wait for me. Now we might all be late just cause I was."

"Hey hey just get up earlier next time."

"Next time?"

"Don't you wanna walk to school together?"

"Yes! I do!"

"Okay then! Come on ladies, we must run!"

They ran ahead of me. As I looked at the backs of their heads I felt thoughts creep up on me. Thoughts I would rather just leave me alone.

I bet if they knew who I used to be... They'd leave. Yeah. Nothing's changed no matter how much I want to believe that it has. They want to remember the fake Mieru Hochun. The one that rolls her skirt up and doesn't wear glasses. The one that eats meat buns with them after school.

If I were to show them the me I let go of, I'd be all alone again.

That's right. Nothing's changed.

"Hey Mieru! So, ya ready to grab some grub?"

Don't call me that...

"Yeah. Where's Chinen?"

"She's hung up with the teacher. She said we can go but I wanna wait for her. Is that okay?"

"Yeah sure... 'issit your homeroom teacher?"

"Huh? No, it's Mr. Kuzuki."

I looked up into Miku's eyes. Was she crazy? Leaving her alone with someone like him?!

I dropped my bag and ran back into the hallways.

"Mieru your shoes!"

I don't care about that right now. Chinen...

I threw open the door and came face to face with Chinen who was about to leave the room.

"Mieru...?"

She's carrying papers...

"Chinen..."

"Well hello there Mieru. Oh- you're wearing your sneakers inside. That's not polite." He looked down at me.

"Come on, let's go." I said, gripping her shoulders.

"Wait a minute. She has an errand to run for me. So I'll walk her to it."

"I'll do it. Where do you have to drop these off Chinen?"

"Council office..."

"Okay. Good night Mr."

He didn't respond. But as we walked away I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head.

Just then Miku rounded a corner and nearly crashed into Chinen.

"Hey hey what's up? I've never seen you in such a hurry Mieru."

"It was nothing. Chinen just has to drop these off at the council office."

"Oh Sendo is in there right now. So I'll come along with you guys."

"Sendo?"

"Red hair? Kinda skinny?"

"Oh that guy?"

"You know him?" Chinen asked.

"Well I've only met him once. I was dropping off papers and we ended up meeting in the council office."

"Sounds like the beginning of a love story! I'm jealous."

"No way. We only talked for a second. Then he ran off somewhere. By the way, are you guys on a first name basis?"

"Yeah I've known the guy for a while."

"Like friends or..."

"Oh no it's nothing like that. We just work at the same drink stop."

"Drink stop?"

"Yeah we serve things like teas and sodas, anything you can drink really."

"Sounds nice. I'll have to stop by sometime."

"I'll text you the address."

I nod.

We arrived at the door to the council office and Miku opened it.

"Sendo!"

He turned around in his chair and suddenly I was given a strange sense of deja vu.

"Hey Miku. Chinen right? You can leave those on the table."

She set them down.

"Oh Sendo this Mieru Hochun."

"Yeah. We've met." He said, reaching his hand out. "Sorry I was in such a rush last time we met."

"No it wasn't a problem. It's nice to meet you..."

"Oh uh... my name's Sendo Suwamura."

"It's nice to meet you Suwamura." I smiled at him.

"Well as much as I love seeing you guys get along we have to go see ya!"

Miku grabbed Chinen's hand and dragged her to the door.

When Miku turned around she opened the door and bumped into someone.

"Oh I'm sorry! I didn't see you there..." The other girl said.

"No it's fine, I was in too much of a hurry." Miku turned back to us.

"Jessie...?"

"Mieru... Hi."