My Future: Chihayafuru

Ch12: Speak wisely

I felt terrible the next day at school. My head was throbbing and my throat felt swollen. Again, I had gotten zero sleep...just tossing and turning...with an empty, sad mind. Too restless to fall asleep and too tired to have any meaningful processing.

I stumbled down the hallway, my head in my hand.

"Are you okay, Chihaya?" Kanade asked, holding a Chemistry book in hand. Next to her was Nishida, Tsutomu, and Hanano.

Wow! I must really be under the weather considering that I hadn't even noticed all of them standing there.

"I got no sleep," I moaned.

"Why?" Hanano's eyes flared, as she pushed Nishida out of her way.

"Hey!" Nishida exclaimed, "Watch it!"

"My sister and I kind of got into a fight," I said, regretting my words. Why couldn't I lie? Well, I would at least try to not tell them about my dad's job loss and my potential homelessness.

Everyone in the group gawked at me. I felt awkward.

Marrying Taichi. That's what my sister told me I should do. The thought of marriage made me feel weird in my stomach. Honestly, the thought of marrying Taichi had never crossed my mind before. I felt guilty for thinking of it and guilty for maybe...just maybe...never mind. It didn't matter, because I never wanted to get married anyway.

"I'm sorry to hear about the fight. That's what siblings do though. You shouldn't let it keep you up all night," Kanade said, her expression full of concern.

"What were you fighting about?" Hanano asked, hovering over me.

"Hanano-chan! That's too personal!" Kanade scolded, her hands landing on her hips.

"I actually kind of want to know too," Nishida said, budded in.

Kanade glared at them.

The weight of their eyes pulled the words from my mouth.

"Marriage!" I exclaimed.

"Is your sister getting married?" Hanano asked, cupping her hands to her cheeks.

"Goodness, no!" I laughed, "She's still stuck on her last boyfriend who's now dating some other model."

"Then...who?"

"Me!"

Now things were really awkward. Hanano looked mortified. Kanade seemed angry with the entire conversation.

"Aren't you still seventeen?" Nishida asked, "That's way too young. Even for you."

"Yes, exactly! I think so too!"

"Who does she want you marry?" Hanano glared at me.

There was now a lump in my sore throat. I could feel my truthful nature dying to respond honestly. But no. It was so embarrassing. They would laugh if they heard it was Taichi. I mean...who would ever think that me and Taichi...could be together? Certainly not I.

"Who?!" She stepped closer to me, her hands tightly clenched together. If she wasn't my good friend, I would feel mildly threatened by her gestures.

"Okay fine! It's -," before I could say anything Kanade's hand covered my mouth, muffling my answer.

Then, she tugged me away from the group near a window. Everyone's eyes trailed us in curiosity.

"Chihaya, guard your words," she looked so stern.

"I..."

"You don't have to give a response just because someone wants an answer. Speak wisely. It's better to say too little than too much."