Date Her Instead Vol. 6

Chapter Eight: Nakatomi Parents

On the walk to school the next day, Haruna and Kanako noticed a distinct lack of Chiyo's presence. "D-Do you think she's sick?" Kanako asked. "Well, you know the saying about idiots and colds," Haruna said. "That's not very nice," Kanako pouted. After appreciating that look, Haruna continued. "Although, I really don't think I've ever seen Chiyo get sick, which is like a miracle on its own." "T-True, considering her past, uhm, e-experiences," Kanako said. "Or maybe she just scares the germs away with all of her energy," Haruna joked.

Then suddenly, Kanako stopped. "Huh? Kanako?" Haruna said, looking back. "Isn't that Chiyo's big sister?" she asked, subtly pointing ahead. Sure enough, a car had parked outside of the front gate, and Chitose was walking around it to the passenger side. Opening the door, she hefted a person out of the vehicle before lightly tossing them ahead. Then, with that task accomplished, Chitose walked back to the driver's side, got back in the car, and drove off. Left half-standing, half-falling over was Chiyo.

Running over to the gal, both Haruna and Kanako stared at her with concern. "What was that about Chiyo? Your sister just threw you out of the car like a sack of potatoes," Haruna said. "I knooow," Chiyo sighed. "I told her I wasn't going to school today, but she told me I had to. Guess she won." "Why didn't you want to come to school?" Kanako asked. Her question was met with an even louder sigh, followed by Chiyo shuffling toward the school. "Better get to class," she mumbled.

"That was... weird," Kanako said. "Are we sure that's Chiyo? Maybe it's just a lookalike," Haruna said, searching for an explanation. "I wonder if something happened?" Kanako asked. "I'd like to ask her, but I feel like it'd be like talking to a zombie," Haruna said. So, with no way of knowing why Chiyo wasn't her usual self, the two girls followed after her into the building.

Getting to class, they spotted Jasmine asleep at her desk. "S-She's asleep," Kanako commented, surprised. "You know that's how Jasmine-chan is," Haruna pointed out. "But what's the point of sleeping for only a few minutes?" Kanako wondered aloud. "Better than sitting here bored," a muffled voice suddenly said.

Slowly sitting up, Jasmine blinked several times as she woke up. "Morning guys," she said, her voice unintentionally dripping with "morning-after-a-night-together" vibes. "M-Morning," Kanako said, starting to blush a little before she felt Haruna's elbow go into her side. "Ouch!" she cried. "W-What was that for?" "No reason," Haruna pouted. At her desk, Jasmine let out a small laugh. "Now that's adorbs," she said.

After enjoying the moment, Jasmine noticed Chiyo behind Haruna and Kanako. "What's the deal with her?" Jasmine asked. "No idea," Haruna shrugged. "Hey, goofball," Jasmine said to Chiyo. "Why so quiet?" "Have I been quiet?" Chiyo asked. "Sorry 'bout that! Guess I was still a little sleepy." But, as Jasmine watched her speak, she could tell the usual energy wasn't there. That, and that despite her best efforts, Chiyo had failed to cover up the red spots at the corners of her eyes.

Standing up, Jasmine moved over to Chiyo. "C'mon," she said, grabbing the girl's arm. "Huh? Jas-chin?" Chiyo said, confused. "Hey, Jasmine-chan, what-" Haruna began to ask, but Jasmine put a finger up to Haruna's lips. "Don't worry about it, Haru-chi. I'll take carry of this. You've got enough to worry about already, right?" Hearing that, Haruna shrunk back. It was true her mind was pretty preoccupied with the mission of telling her parents about her relationship with Kanako. But, did that have to mean she couldn't help her friend when there was clearly something wrong?

"Let's leave Chiyo to Hiraoka-san," Kanako whispered to Haruna. Seeing her expression, it seemed that Kanako trusted Jasmine to handle whatever was going on. "...Alright," Haruna said. "I'll tell ya all about it later, 'kay Haru-chi?" Jasmine said, to which Haruna nodded. Then the two gals left the room right as the teacher was walking in.