We'll Meet Once More

Chapter 5

The serious expression on Mr. Yoshino's face doesn't suit him. And I can already tell that this is going to be an uncomfortable discussion. Before he can start talking, I quickly make up an excuse to leave, "Sorry, another teacher needs me."

I sprint out the door before he can catch me all I hear is Mr. Yoshino calling out to me. After rushing for a while, I notice he isn't chasing me. I take a second to catch my breath. What now? I can't go to class. I'm tired of all the looks I'm getting from everyone. I don't even know why I bothered coming to school anyway.

I want to say I'm here out of habit, but I know that isn't true. Before I notice, my feet are carrying me along a familiar route. The library. Walking in, it seems dimmer when I arrive. The comforting scent of books feels stuffy now. Just when I'm about to head to my usual spot, I stop.

My heart's too heavy. I know Harumi won't be there. She wasn't in chemistry class. She wasn't in homeroom. She wasn't on the roof. So there's no way I'll find her here. There's no one to argue with. No one to complain about my food. No one to use my shoulder as an armrest.

When the tears start to blur my vision again, I shake my head. She'd laugh at me if she saw me now. I turn to leave that place behind.

After hiding out between the library shelves for a while, I eventually head to my next class. I can only avoid the librarian for so long, after all. Every teacher's words seem distant to me.

Trivial. 

I'm aware of the questions being asked. Sometimes they even come my way. Thankfully, most teachers catch on pretty quickly and leave me to my own. I'm might be present, but it's better for everyone if I'm considered invisible. 

As the lunch bell rings, a hand grabs me at a vending machine. I turn around and it takes me a second to recognize who I'm speaking to.

"Naomi?" I say before letting out a sigh, "If this is about homework or something-"

"It's not." Naomi says in a stern tone, "Here." She dumps a stack of folders into my arms, "You need to deliver those to the chemistry classroom."

I let out another long sigh, speaking in an annoyed tone, "Can't you do it?"

She only stares at me with a glare, "Weren't you paying attention? I'm handling something else."

"Why me?"

"Because you don't have anything else going on, right?"

I look back down at the pile of folders, "Look, I'm really in the mood to-"

"Moping won't bring Harumi back to school."

I blink. It feels like I've been slapped. I feel both a sad feeling, but also annoyed for Naomi bringing up Harumi so nonchalantly, "She wouldn't be happy seeing you slip back into old habits. But that's just my opinion."

"Sorry. I'm just..." It bothers me that Naomi would think she knows what Harumi would feel, but I don't say anything more.

"I get it, it's easier to stop yourself feeling things when it's tough. I just don't think that's the real you. Anyone who's seen you with Harumi would agree."

Naomi says nothing else as she walks away, giving me one more look before leaving. I look down at the files again, I'm almost tempted to drop them and leave, but something keeps me from doing that. Reluctantly, I take the files to the classroom.

Opening the door to the classroom, I freeze at who I see. I groan seeing Mr. Yoshino waiting for me in the chemistry classroom. She set me up.

"Did you need something, sir?" I ask with an annoyed tone. Standing there, as if he's been waiting, Mr. Yoshino manages a smile.