Can You Keep A Secret? (Inupi Seishu)

| Chapter Three: The Accident

In my second year in college I never expected to have anyone else talk to me.

But my summer back in the states had me seeing new perspectives, it gave me a sense of finding my identity despite the populated area in that place.

Somehow I learned to be more sociable, to smile more, to dress better and somehow I noticed everyone had noticed it as well, cause they were cautious like they once before but now they were freely opening up conversations my way.

They'd say hi when I pass them in the hallways, offer me a time to reciprocate and encourage me to join in the circle of conversations.

Maybe Akane's personality was starting to rub on me little by little, and slowly, I wasn't the wallpaper anymore.

"I like your Keychain." You heard someone beside you and took a seat next to you.

It was Mitsuya, the president of the Costume Design Club. I took off my earphones, trying to debate whether he really started a convo in front of me and I wasn't a shaking mess.

"You w-watch.." I tried swallowing the lump in my throat, Mitsuya's eyes were beautiful at close range, it was delicate, and the hair color he chose made him look even more pretty like all the masterpieces he had done.

"I know it's silly, but my little sisters watch club penguin on repeat, forcing me to sit on it for hours, but hey, I didn't complain, it's a good show, despite it being only for kids."

You smiled at him, club penguin was your childhood show, even though it's a long gone prime time show for kids I couldn't let it go..

Maybe it gave me a sense of grip on the childhood I never had.

"I didn't know you have (hair length) hair." He says playing with the tips and you almost shove back away from him but stopped immediately. "You should put your hair down more often, you look beautiful--"

You were in mid conversation with Mitsuya before you heard a shrilling scream beside you making you jump slightly in a panic to see Akane that had been sitting quietly beside you cradling her hand in pain.

Thick red glop of warm blood drizzled downwards from her index finger and slithered down the paleness of her skin, down to her forearm and dropped from the edge of her elbow.

The blood spilled out too much staining the white tiles between you both as she cried out.

"Akane!" You jumped up to stand in front of her, and saw the bloody work desk she has in front of her.

The sewing machine was stuck, and every fabric in front of her was stained with blood. As you assess her form, she won't stop crying, and looking over to the hand she cradles it looked like the needle from the sewing machine had stabbed through her index finger.

Grabbing the handkerchief from my bag I wrapped her bloodied hand, "I'll bring you to the clinic." I panicked, I was heavily concerned, seeing her crying, her once flawless face drenched with sweat and squinting in pain.

"Could you cover for us in a while, Mitsuya. I just need to tend to her okay." I said to him, hugging Akane on her side and forced her to stand up and start walking out.

I looked at her as she pressed her side in front of me, like a torn baby cub that was attacked, she was shaking. "It's okay we'll get that bandaged up."

And she smiled.

Like nothing happened.

She hugged me closer on the side as I helped her gather her weight, but she hugs me more tighter arms around my waist as she leans to me.