Running After You

#6: The Day I Fell

Mikami Apartment

She opened the door and smelled smoke. Hana opened the window to let the scent escape. The clothes are scattered all around. She clicked her tongue and picked the shattered glasses from the bottle of alcohol.

She received a call from Erina.

"Mikami, sorry for calling so sudden. Would you like to join me tomorrow? I will be buying some things for the classroom redecoration. But... You can say no if you have something else to do", Erina stuttered.

Hana laughed.

"You can count on me, Class Rep. See you then", Hana smiled.

Toka's Residence

"Erina. Would you like some tea and baked cookies?", Inori peeked in the living room and watch Rei help Erina draw a building. It was probably for her homework. "I'll be fine, Inori-san. Please don't worry", Erina flushed. She feels like she's bothering the whole house.

Mayu, Rei's sister is also amused watching her draw. "I'll just place it here. Please stay for dinner as well", Inori winked. Erina gave up and just nodded.

"Mayu. Go and play with your dolls", Rei ordered. Mayu cried and Inori led her to the cutie's room.

"What made you stay?", Rei suddenly asked. "I just thought I really hate the hot weather", Erina answered while shading the shadow. "Is that the only reason?", Rei dig deeper.

"That night that I came here, I also stopped by a convenient store. Senpai surprisingly was there as well. He asked me if I had grown up", Erina stopped shading. "Fushimi-kun again", Rei sat waiting for more information. "Senpai doesn't really shines that much before. He's scary but gentle at the same time. Right now, you wouldn't see a hint of his past on him. He changed. When I look at his back, I just suddenly felt... I also want to change", Erina looked at the ceiling. "You're great just how you are right now. What else do you have to change about yourself?", Rei hummed. "A lot, Rei-san", Erina smiled.

The Next Day
Stationary Shop

"You still have your bed hair. You woke up late, didn't you?", Hana teased. Erina apologized for being late. She pulled out a piece of paper.

"That's a lot. Why do we need so much wallpaper?", Hana asked. "Sensei said that he wants the room to be more vibrant before summer comes", Erina explained. "What a waste of time. We should have done it in the first place if he wanted to have a vibrant classroom", Hana sighed and just followed Erina.

"What do you think of this?", Erina pull out a sample. "It's too childish. What are we? Kids?", Hana commented. Erina had been showing samples but Hana kept on critiquing them. "It's really difficult to look for one, right?", Erina chuckled. "Sorry. I'm making it more difficult for you. Your the class rep. You can choose what you like", Hana finally caught herself. "That's not good. I don't want their money to go to waste. Let's make sure it's perfect for our class", Erina smiled.

They finally agreed on a cream wallpaper with some triangle design. They proceed to buy some other art materials. "It's too expensive", Hana continued complaining and Erina would just laugh and agree to some.

They left the shop. "The sales lady is glaring at me", Hana informed. "I noticed that", Erina shared some bags for her to carry as well. "Aren't you tired of what you've been hearing from me? From the moment we entered, I just kept complaining", Hana felt a little odd. "You can complain all you want, Mikami... Can I call you Hana now?", Erina shyly asked. Hana just felt like laughing. She can complain all she want? "Sure. But aren't you irritated?", Hana went back to the topic. "You had always been composed the first time I saw you. I admired how calm you are even introducing yourself or even making presentations. So, when I hear you complain, I feel so honored to see this side of yours. I think you just trust me enough to complain", Erina explained. Hana stopped walking. "That's why you can complain all you want. I think that's normal", Erina added.

Shool
Class 1-1

Erina and Hana dropped the materials. "Great job", the teacher clapped.

They both went out and saw some upperclassmen. "Isn't that your Prince?", Hana poked Erina's cheek. She looked for some escape route but he's already few meters away. He's walking with some third years and also Nami.

"Oh, Aisawa. Are you here for some extra duty?", Nami waved at her. Erina waved back and met eyes with Fushimi. "Why are you here?", Nami ran towards the girls. "Class Rep duty", Erina nervously laughed. "I see. You became a class rep as well. That's great", Fushimi overheard them. "Do you know her as well?", Nami asked. "We often meet in random places", he answered and gave a weak smile to Erina. The girl melted inside. "See you around. We're actually preparing for the exhibition. It seems that they'll be needing our help as well", Nami sighed. Erina just nodded and watch them pass through them.

She felt weak on her knees. "He... smiled at me", Erina shook Hana. "There's a lot of male classmate of ours who also smiles at you. What's the difference?", Hana tilted her head. "That's what you call crush, Hana. Your heart just burst out so randomly", Erina explained. "Ah, I have a lot of experience of my heart nearly bursting out but I don't like how it is", Hana just played with her tone and walked in front of Erina.

"Don't tell me you never had a crush on anyone before", Erina was intrigued. Hana shook her head. "Woah. That's intense", Erina clapped and her eyes widened. "Is that abnormal?", Hana just have a poker face. "One day, when you find someone, you can tell me. Okay?", Erina said with stars flying from her. "You are persistent, aren't you", Hana laughed.

A blonde went in between them and hang his arm around their shoulders. "So, I was knocking on your door but you weren't there", Rei sighed. Hana removed his hand. "I'll be helping the arts club or something like that", Rei informed. "I just saw Chou-senpai pass by. Are you going to join them?", Erina asked. Rei's face changed after hearing the name. "How about we go hit the ramen house? My treat", Rei grabbed the two of them.

Ramen House

"In the middle of the day?", Hana was just looking at the noodles. "It taste good. Trust me", Rei gave a thumbs up.

Trust me.

"So... Mikami, right? It's a good thing Erina made a new friend", Rei smiled. "It's my pleasure", Hana scooped in and tasted that it was spicy. Erina noticed her discomfort and swapped her bowl. "I told them not to add too much spice", Erina informed. "But it's yours", Hana shook her head. Erina just smiled and took some noodles. Erina's phone rang. "I'd be getting this first", she excused. 

Hana just observed Rei eat. He's the school basketball captain. Unlike the rest of the team, he doesn't look that rough. He's emitting bright aura and he's also friendly the first time they met. "Eat well, Mikami. I could see that you're not putting too much fat in you. I know ladies at your age are a bit cautious about gaining weight but you should also be careful", Rei suddenly look at her eyes. Hana avoided it. "It's not that I'm dieting or what", she clarified. "Are you sleeping well?Anything bothering you?", Rei interviewed. "Ahk. Too much question", she leaned back. "You can always talk to me", Rei permitted. "Because I am Erina's friend?", Hana asked. Rei chuckled. "You're an interesting person, Mikami", Rei commented. 

Hana's chest tighten. 

An interesting person, you say?

Outside

"I see. Don't worry Mio, I will really attend your art exhibit", Erina assured and they ended the call. 

Nami and Rio walked passed her. "Oh, you again?", Nami stopped and turned to look at Erina. "Senpai", Nami called out. "A ramen house in the middle of the day?", Rio felt disgusted. Nami had a weak smile. "Say my regards to Toka", Nami requested. 

How did she know?

Chapter end.