Mariko woke up curled around the trash can with an extremely bad headache. She would definitely not do that again. Maybe throwing the pills away was the better idea. Still suffering from some brain fog, she did not bother proofing the scripts generated by the AI and piped them directly into video development. She then stumbled over to the dresser and put on a newly washed uniform for school. Eventually when she finally finished getting ready, she walked back to the desk and published the videos that have been generated.
"It should be fine. No one will catch one or two errors." She thought to herself as nausea began to cloud her mind.
After uploading the videos and staring off into space for a good few seconds she cleared her desk and walked to the door. Then she stumbled out of her room, careful to lock the door as she left. Mariko clutched at the handrail as another round of nausea washed over her for a second time that day.
"Should I just skip school today?" Mariko thought as she gripped onto the handrail.
"Are you alright?" Ruby's voice from behind her snapped her out of her thoughts.
Mariko turned around still gripping the handrail for dear life. "Wh wou–n't I bwe?" Mariko wanted to facepalm as she slurred her words.
The deadpan expression from Ruby was enough to tell her that she messed up. Slightly grimacing at the thought of further prodding into last night's events, Mariko held up a finger telling her sister to wait. The grogginess still persisted.
"So, what exactly happened yesterday?" Ruby continued to ask which did not help calm Mariko's rising irritation at her current predicament.
"Cold Rain!" Mariko finally got two words out. She hoped that that was enough, and she held one hand up to her head in an attempt to drive the point home.
Ruby nodded in understanding before saying, "Do you want to stay home instead. I can tell mom."
Mariko paused for a moment. This was a hard question. Yes, she would rather stay home and recover but she also would like to meet with Akiro and get more of the manga complete. Still making a fool out of herself at school was not a very enticing prospect. As the pain in her head increased, she decided that she would have to stay home that day. Even if she met Akiro today it was not like she was of any use in her current state.
"Fine, I am sick. Tell mom." Each word came out in a short burst.
Mariko tried to make it back up the stairs but stumbled. She was lucky that Ruby was right there to catch her. Mariko heard Ruby grunt quietly as she fell on her. Mariko's arm was carefully slung around Ruby's shoulder as Ruby carried her back up the stairs and to the door of her room.
"I got... it from... here." Mariko said trying to keep what her room looked like a secret from her sister.
Ruby on the other hand was not having any of it so she reached into Mariko's pockets and did a comprehensive search for the key. Mariko did not even have the ability to protest and at this point she had already given up on trying. She had made one too many dumb mistakes the day before and now she just wanted to sleep it off. If Ruby searching her for the key to her room got her closer to that goal Mariko did not mind one bit. When Ruby finally found the key, she pulled it out and unlocked the door to her room.
Ruby slowly guided Mariko to her bed and gingerly laid her down in it. The warm and comfortable bed helped ease the headache a lot. Mariko saw Ruby take in the surroundings looking at her room's desolate walls.
"Ever thought of decorating the place? I can help if you need." Ruby asked.
Mariko just smiled and closed her eyes. Ruby was lighthearted as ever. She was just glad that she did not leave the drugs on the table for Ruby to see. Everything in her current line of view was normal. So, Mariko relaxed and let sleep take over.
______________________________________________________________________________
Later that day, Mariko was woken up by the ringing of her phone. Assuming it was Ariko checking up on her she got out of bed and picked up the phone. Climbing back into bed she glanced at the name of the caller. The name listed on the phone face nearly made her jump out of her bed. What does Kamiki want now?
"Hello, Kamiki-san, what is the occasion? Mariko asked as she picked up the phone. She hoped that her headache would not return with this conversation.
"I just want an update on how things are going with the projects." The voice on the other end replied.
Mariko nearly scoffed out loud, but she managed to hold it in and asked, "Okay so what do you want to know?"
There was a pause on the other side of the phone before Kamiki said, "Why don't we talk in person. There has been something on my mind and I would rather see what you have to say in person than through the phone.
"I always thought you aired on the side of caution, why the change?" Mariko probed.
There was silence on the other end again as if Kamiki was thinking of a response, but Mariko knew better. He was already preparing for their face to face. Mariko sighed into the microphone expressing her displeasure with the situation.
"Okay, wait at the park. You know the one. I will be there by 4." Mariko said begrudgingly.
"Perfect." was the last thing he said before hanging up.
Mariko quickly got out of bed and realized she was already dressed. Her mom was busy in the office and the twins were at school, so she had the perfect opportunity to sneak out. The only problem was she was not sure how ready her verbal evasion game was currently.
"This is definitely not ideal." Mariko thought as she headed toward the park.
1027 Word Story
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