Running After You

#15: Sometimes Somewhere

School Garden

"Mikami, why are you mentioning Erina's name now?", Mio asked.

"When I look at her, it hurts me more. How can someone have such a fortunate life? I feel like I want to destroy her! I want her to feel a little bit of pain! She's so unfair", Hana grabbed at Mio's hair as well. "Why do you have to hurt Erina? Just so you know, if she knows about it, she will also help you", Ai scolded. "I don't want your help! All you do is turn a blind eye on the real issue. Just like a while ago, why aren't you asking her about what she's truly feeling about the death of her grandmother", Hana went on rampage. "She doesn't need to be reminded of that feeling?! Isn't that obvious? She doesn't have to go through the same thing. If we ask more, it will just remind her", Ai explained while holding Hana's arm. They are already panting. 

From the distance, Rei saw them seemingly fighting. "Are they picking on her?", he gasped. He was still on his basketball uniform and ran towards them

Rei went in between them. "I was wondering what are you guys doing", Rei face palmed. Since Hana's sleeves are already rolled up. Rei also saw some wounds and burns. "I don't know what to say", he sighed and held Hana's hand. "Let's go to tell the guidance counselor. I'll be with you. You don't have to worry", Rei gently drag her towards the building. 

The two were left contemplating. What she said cut very deep.

Corridor

Nami and Rio are just done with their club meeting. Nami looked outside and saw Rei holding a female student's hand. Rio also looked at the direction of her stares. She sighed. "I'll be going ahead. I'll wait for you at the pool", Rio waved her hand. Nami nodded. She was left alone to wallow on the pain of seeing Rei hold someone else's hand. She noticed that it wasn't Erina. 

They stopped in the middle and Rei hugged the female in such careful manner. She held unto her chest and couldn't help to release a deep sigh. "Unfair", she commented. 

"Chou-senpai?", Erina was also walking at the same corridor carrying notebooks. "Aisawa, you're still here? Right, class rep work", she forced to laugh and placed her stares on Erina. Her golden locks were so bright that Nami feels like going blind. "Condolence. I heard about your grandmother", she said in a sad tone. "Thank you. I believe she's already in peace now", Erina forced a smile and walked beside the upperclassman. 

"Sorry to open this out of a sudden. Aisawa, have you ever fell in love with someone?", Nami asked. Erina looked at her with a puzzled expression. "I...you don't have to answer", Nami felt embarrassed. "I'm glad I did and I think I still do", Erina have a calm smile plastered in her face. "I see", Nami knows that smile. She had that before Rei decided to call off the relationship. "Just in case...I'm not hoping though. What if...time comes when he won't be able to return back your feelings?", Nami asked. Erina had a long pause. "In those times that were so difficult and I felt like giving up, there was other feelings aside from the fear and loneliness. That's what I felt when I was in love with that person. That feeling of being in love kept me moving on. I don't know...maybe it was just something to console myself", Erina answered with genuineness. Nami face palmed and covered her face. 

"This is shameful", Nami faced the wall. Erina suddenly panicked. Did she say something funny or embarrassing? "I am your senior and yet you're the one who's giving me advice. I'm glad I ran into you", Nami chuckled. Erina just smiled and the two continue to move forward. 

Outside Guidance Counselor Room

Hana tugged on Rei's shirt. "Senpai. Just this time... Please let it pass. Just this time", Hana sounded really disturbed. "I understand that you're getting in such trouble but... I can't stand knowing that someone actually wantes it bad for Erina", Rei said with such cold tone. Hana bit her lip. "I know. I wanted to punch myself for thinking that way. Erina is the only person who makes me feel warm. She's one of those people who makes me want to live despite of this twisted world I'm living. If you tell the teachers, then... that warmth will disappear", Hana knelt down. She lets go of Rei's shirt. The blonde grabbed her arm before she fully kneel down. "There are.... other people who wil make you feel warm. That's what I want to believe. Mikami. Erina isn't the only one who'll be there for you. That's why... You don't have to be scared. Being in other school or what... Distance wouldn't be a hindrance to friendship. If things gets worse, there might be a chance that you won't really see her anymore. That's why... ", Rei raised her up and patted her head.

Rei opened the door. "I hope you would take care of yourself as well. But even after all what I said... Its still your choice. Those two girls will really strangle me to death if you won't. Mikami, to truly care for other people. One must also understand that she needs to take care of herself",Rei smiled.

The next few days...

Cafeteria

"It's been four days and Hana is still absent. Is she sick? She haven't been receiving my calls", Erina wondered and stabbed the carrot on her lunch box prepared by Mio. 

A senior stopped by their table. "Aren't you a friend of Mikami-san?", Fushimi asked. Erina felt like choking on her food. Mio served water as fast as possible. Erina drank and raised her head. The spiky head is looking down on her. "What's the matter?Senpai?", Erina politely asked. "Actually I accidentally read some of my mother's case and-", Fushimi stopped when he saw Mio and Ai waving their hands and shaking their heads. 

"There's a lot of Mikami. Isn't it prohibited for you to be reading some of your mother's cases", Rei suddenly appeared. "Toka", Fushimi stared at him for a long time. "I guess so", Fushimi nodded and walked away. 

"What was that? What is senpai's mother's work?", Erina was curious. "She is a lawyer. A known one", Rei answered and sat with them. Erina's eyes brightened. She developed some kind of fixation with people who side with justice. She watched a lot of movies with court fights and also some detective series.

"I'm going to visit her later", Erina nodded. "No!", Ai and Rei shouted in unison. "I really don't like how you're ignoring her presence", Erina slightly raised her brow. "Well, I just made a really good move in volleyball. I need you to watch!!", Ai whined. "You're going to watch, right?", Ai clasp her hands. Erina looked at her phone and saw no message from Hana. She looked at Mio with some familiar reaction in her face. "Is there something you want to tell me, Mio?", Erina asked. Mio gasped and stood up. Her face were all flustered and ran away.

"I wonder if Horito-senpai found another woman", Ai nervously chuckled. Erina was about to follow her but Rei shook his head. "Let the broken-hearted try to mend itself for a while", Rei nodded.

Backyard

Mio wipes her tears.

"Saotome?", Horito was having a stroll when he saw the girl wiping her tears. Mio turn around and tried to stop the flow. She bit her tongue.

That hurts.

Horito sat on the mini stairs and just kept silent. "It's rare for the stoic face Saotome to be crying in the middle of nowhere", he finally talked when Mio's sobbing stopped.

Mio turned and saw him just looking at the sky. "Pres", Mio called him. "Is there anything you would like to tell me? Even if you dumped me, I can still be a senpai for you, right?", Horito smiled stating a painful fact. Mio sat few feet away from him.

Chapter end.